RB Leipzig troll Fabrizio Romano after Yan Diomande seals Real Madrid transfer
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- RB Leipzig mocked Fabrizio Romano with the headline "Here We Actually Go."
- Real Madrid signed Yan Diomande for up to €140 million.
- The transfer became Leipzig's biggest sale and Madrid's potential record signing.
The Bundesliga club unveiled the deal with the headline "Here We Actually Go" - a clear nod to Romano's famous "Here We Go" catchphrase and a subtle reminder that the transfer was only official once the clubs had completed every detail.
The announcement quickly caught the attention of football fans on social media, many interpreting it as Leipzig's way of settling the long-running debate surrounding the timing of the deal.
Romano and Plettenberg clash over the deal
The transfer became one of the most discussed stories of the summer after Romano reported on 26 July that Diomande's move to Madrid was effectively complete.His trademark "Here We Go" update suggested the transfer had been agreed for a fee of more than €100 million.
However, fellow journalist Florian Plettenberg disputed that claim, insisting negotiations were still ongoing and that no final agreement had been reached.
What followed was an unusual public disagreement between two of football's most recognisable transfer reporters.
As negotiations continued behind the scenes, Romano maintained that the deal was inevitable, whilst Plettenberg repeatedly stressed that discussions between the clubs were not yet finished.
Leipzig's official announcement appears to acknowledge that debate. By replacing "Here We Go" with "Here We Actually Go," the German club hinted that the transfer only became official once all contracts had been signed.
Real Madrid break their transfer record
Despite the disagreement over timing, Romano's prediction ultimately proved correct.Madrid have completed the signing of the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international in a deal worth €125 million guaranteed, plus €10 million in achievable bonuses and a further €5 million in more challenging performance-related add-ons.
Should every bonus clause be activated, the total package will reach €140 million, making Diomande the most expensive signing in the club's history.
The deal surpasses the previous club-record arrivals of Jude Bellingham and Eden Hazard.
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Meteoric rise to the top
Diomande's rise has been remarkably swift.Only two years ago, the winger was developing his game at the DME Academy in Florida before moving to Leganés.
RB Leipzig signed him in the summer of 2025 after activating his €20 million release clause.
His first season in Germany exceeded expectations.
Across all competitions, the teenager contributed 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances, establishing himself as one of Europe's brightest young attacking talents.
His performances also strengthened his reputation with the Ivory Coast national team after impressing on the international stage.
A record sale for RB Leipzig
For Leipzig, the transfer represents the biggest sale in the club's history, comfortably surpassing the €90 million transfer of JoÅ¡ko Gvardiol to Manchester City.The German side have also secured an exceptional financial return.
After signing Diomande from Leganés for €20 million just a year ago, Leipzig could receive as much as €140 million through the agreement with Madrid.
Leganés will also benefit from a sell-on clause entitling the Spanish club to five percent of Leipzig's profit from the transfer.
Whilst Madrid celebrate the arrival of one of world football's brightest prospects, Leipzig's cleverly worded announcement has ensured another storyline emerged from the blockbuster transfer - one aimed squarely at the industry's most famous transfer catchphrase.
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