Real Madrid casualties: Why the Diomande deal isn’t good news for everyone
Real Madrid are out to finalize a deal for RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande - and several players could be impacted by the Ivorian’s arrival.
Yan Diomande is poised to become one of the marquee signings of the summer - and the first player from Ivory Coast ever to wear the Real Madrid shirt. The fee Diamonde is set to command suggests that the right flank at the Santiago Bernabéu now has a new owner. As a result, several members of the current squad are likely to feel the impact of his arrival.
Diomande is capable of playing on either wing. His natural position is on the left, where he can cut inside onto his stronger foot and maximize his attacking qualities. However, during his time at RB Leipzig, he frequently featured on the right, and the same was true at the World Cup, where he rotated between both flanks. His standout performance at the tournament came in Ivory Coast’s opening match against Ecuador, when he started on the right and tormented Piero Hincapié throughout the game.
The chief casualties
Vinícius Júnior could end up being one of the biggest losers from this move, though the implications may be felt more in the boardroom than on the pitch. The Brazilian has made no secret of his desire to sign a new contract, repeatedly stating that he wants to spend his entire career in Madrid and cement his status as a club legend. Yet with renewal talks still at a standstill pending another meeting with the club hierarchy, Diomande’s arrival appears to send a clear message. On paper, the Ivorian is expected to make the right wing his own, but if Vinícius does not extend his deal, he could also emerge as the natural long-term successor on the left. Club executives remain confident that an agreement will be reached, paving the way for a front three featuring Diomande, Vinícius, and Kylian Mbappé.
Another player whose importance could diminish is Arda Güler. In José Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 setup, Jude Bellingham would occupy the No. 10 position while Diomande patrols the right wing, making it much harder for the Turkish international to secure a regular starting spot. One possible solution is the same one Xabi Alonso explored during his early attempts to integrate Güler: converting him into a deeper midfield role alongside a holding midfielder. Although Güler’s best position remains that of a traditional playmaker, where he has demonstrated an impressive understanding with Mbappé, Bellingham’s performances at the World Cup make it almost unthinkable that the England star will not be one of the first names on the team sheet. That reality could significantly reduce Güler’s minutes in his favored role.
Madrid minutes at a premium
They are not the only players affected by this strategic move. Since arriving in Madrid, Brahim Díaz has embraced the role of the squad’s ultimate utility attacker, moving in and out of the starting lineup without complaint. The Morocco international has consistently been the first man off the bench and a player capable of stepping into the XI whenever circumstances required it. Now, that role may belong to Güler, pushing the Málaga-born playmaker further down the pecking order.
After excelling on the right wing during his spell at Lyon, and with Gonzalo García widely expected to depart, Endrick could find himself as Mbappé’s lone backup while also serving as an emergency option on the right flank. Earning consistent playing time this season may prove to be a genuine challenge for the Brazilian prodigy. As for Rodrygo Goes, who is expected to return from injury in January, his first task will be regaining full fitness after a lengthy layoff. Only then can he begin competing for a spot as the primary impact substitute on either wing.
Meanwhile, the arrival of Bernardo Silva is increasingly viewed as an option to strengthen the midfield. The Portuguese star, who spent years commanding the right side for Manchester City, is expected to move into a more central role, much like he did for Portugal at the World Cup. Furthermore, if Madrid opt not to sign another midfielder, his creativity and playmaking ability could become more important than ever.
Potential departures
Both Gonzalo and Franco Mastantuono appear to be heading toward the exit door. Álvaro Arbeloa’s Fulham are pushing hard to sign the former, and a sale is seen as a practical way of helping balance the books after Madrid’s significant investment in the former Leipzig winger.
As for Mastantuono, a loan move had already been under consideration, but it now feels essential given the limited opportunities likely to be available to him. Fulham and Fiorentina are both monitoring the situation closely as they look to secure the highly rated Argentine youngster. Real Madrid invested more than $65 million in him last summer and remain fully convinced of his long-term potential. For that reason, a temporary move is viewed as the ideal solution, allowing him to establish himself elsewhere, continue his development, and return to Madrid stronger and more polished next season.
Ultimately, Diomande’s arrival is set to reshape the entire Real Madrid ecosystem. Several players stand to be directly affected by the arrival of the highly touted African talent, and the club’s leadership is already weighing potential departures as it looks to balance the books following a busy and expensive summer transfer window.
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