Why Yan Diomande decided against Liverpool transfer after meeting Andoni Iraola

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Liverpool were strongly linked with Yan Diomande, but the winger ultimately chose to join Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid and the reasoning behind that decision has now come to lightLiverpool's transition season under new boss Andoni Iraola may have played a part in Yan Diomande deciding against a move to Anfield. The 19‑year‑old is said to have met Iraola before choosing his next step - a meeting that ultimately preceded his decision to join Real Madrid instead.The Reds had explored a deal earlier in the summer and were firmly in the mix for the youngster, but refused to meet RB Leipzig's €130m (£111m) valuation.

All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageMadrid's agreement for Diomande is built around an initial €125m (£107m) fee, with a further €15m (£12.8m) in add‑ons, with the midfielder signing a seven‑year contract. But after meeting Iraola, Diomande is said to have felt Liverpool were heading into a transition season, prompting him to look elsewhere, according to The Athletic.He ultimately chose to play under Jose Mourinho and chase a third consecutive Champions League title instead, as Real's new manager prompted a switch in transfer policy."The final piece was Jose Mourinho," confirmed Nathan Campbell, Roc Nation's head of global football recruitment and Diomande's agent.

But the time of day that he took the call with Yan and the fact that he spoke fluently in French with him - about his ideas, the project, and how he would fit into the team - showed that he valued that conversation."That was a massive point. The key to convincing him."The Athletic adds that Diomande was given a detailed career plan, outlining both individual and team‑based development pathways - including case studies such as Vinicius Junior and how his trajectory has evolved at the Bernabeu.Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.