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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has made the striking admission that he did not personally ask the club to sign record arrival Yan Diomande. In spite of the huge outlay made by the Spanish giants, the Portuguese coach said he joined the Santiago Bernabeu without insisting on any particular signing.

Mourinho sets the record straight

Mourinho has spoken about Diomande’s €140m move, admitting that he was not the one who specifically pushed for the club’s newest record signing. Speaking to El Chiringuito, the ‘Special One’ outlined how he approached the transfer market after returning to the Spanish capital, stressing that he did not come in with a list of demands for the board.

When asked whether he was the main force behind the transfer, Mourinho gave a blunt response, saying: “No, I didn’t ask for anyone. I came in without demanding a single player, having taken a good look at the squad and knowing exactly what I wanted to happen.

“I knew what was happening [at the club] and what wasn’t. I wanted to arrive knowing a lot, but acting as if I knew nothing. I knew what I wanted, but I wanted to hear what the club was thinking. And we were completely on the same wavelength. We’ve always moved in that direction; without me demanding anything, things just fell into place naturally.”

The profile of a Galactico

Even though he did not directly ask for the signing, Mourinho was quick to highlight the qualities Diomande offers. The Portuguese manager is well known for his tactical discipline and his appreciation of adaptable wide players, and he feels the teenager matches that profile perfectly. He pointed out how difficult it is in the current market to find a player with that particular mix of pace, aggression and the ability to operate on either flank, especially one so young.

“Finding a wide player [like Diomande] who is quick, aggressive, and can play on both flanks isn’t easy, it’s incredibly tough,” Mourinho added. “Add to that the fact that he’s young, has room to develop, and has many years ahead of him at Real Madrid... when that opportunity came up, I didn’t want to get into whether he cost 120, 80, 40, or 20 [million]. I analyse the player’s profile and what he can bring to my team, and on that basis, I said: ‘Yes, I want him.’ Whether it’s 120 or 80... that’s out of my hands.”

Bundesliga pedigree and international rise

Diomande arrives in the Spanish capital with a growing reputation after an outstanding season in Germany. During the 2025-26 campaign, the 19-year-old was one of the breakout stars for RB Leipzig, showing he could cope with the demands of one of Europe’s top-five leagues. His numbers were exceptional for a player of his age, underlining both his finishing ability and his importance as a key creative outlet for team-mates in league and cup competitions.

The winger finished with 12 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances, and was eventually named Bundesliga Rookie of the Season. His influence was not confined to club football, either, as he made a smooth step up into the Ivory Coast senior side. His displays earned him a place at the 2026 World Cup, where he further enhanced his reputation by providing an assist on football’s biggest stage, reinforcing his standing as one of the most exciting young talents in the game.

Preparing for the La Liga return

With Real Madrid getting ready to take on Espanyol in their La Liga opener, attention will centre on how Mourinho brings his new star into the side. The burden that comes with being a record signing at the Bernabeu is well known, but the manager appears convinced that the player’s technical quality will matter more than the noise around his transfer fee. As the new season begins, the Ivory Coast international will have the job of showing that the club’s huge investment was worth it under the spotlight of the Spanish capital.