Yan Diomande's reason for snubbing Liverpool transfer emerges after Andoni Iraola 'meeting'

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SportFootballLiverpool FC transfer newsRB Leipzig midfielder Yan Diomande has joined Real Madrid but Liverpool were also in the running for the 19-year-old's signature earlier in the summerLiverpool's transitional campaign under new manager Andoni Iraola may have influenced Yan Diomande to turn down a move to Anfield. The 19‑year‑old is said to have met with Iraola before making his choice - a conversation that ultimately preceded his decision to sign for Real Madrid instead.The Reds had explored a deal earlier in the summer and were firmly in contention, 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 arrangement for Diomande is structured around an upfront €125m (£107m) payment, with an additional €15m (£12.8m) in performance-related bonuses, with the midfielder penning a seven year deal. He becomes the sixth signing of Jose Mourinho's summer overhaul at the Bernabeu, following Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, Marc Cucurella and Carlos Espi.Madrid had not originally been pursuing a winger, however.

The assumption had been that Nico Paz would rejoin through a buy‐back option after his impressive stint at Como since departing in 2024.That created an opportunity for Liverpool, who were considered Diomande's most probable destination, and the chance of succeeding club icon Mohamed Salah was believed to attract the Ivorian.However, following discussions with Iraola, Diomande is understood to have sensed Liverpool were entering a transitional period, leading him to explore alternative options, according to The Athletic.He eventually opted to work under Jose Mourinho and pursue a third successive Champions League crown, as Real's new boss triggered a shift in recruitment strategy."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.