José Mourinho has explained that he did not specifically ask Real Madrid to sign Yan Diomandé this summer. Speaking on El Chiringuito, the Portuguese coach discussed the club’s transfer strategy and revealed that his initial priorities focused on strengthening the defense and midfield.
Real Madrid signed Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella and Bernardo Silva before completing the spectacular €140 million deal for the 19-year-old Ivorian winger.
Mourinho insisted that he arrived in Madrid without demanding specific players and instead wanted to understand the club’s vision. “No, I didn’t ask anyone for anything,” he explained. The Portuguese coach praised Dumfries and Konaté while admitting that they lacked the glamorous profile that usually excites fans on social media. However, Mourinho considered both players necessary for his project and said he quickly found common ground with the club’s management.
The arrival of Diomandé followed a different process. Mourinho said Real Madrid saw an opportunity to sign a young, explosive winger capable of playing on both flanks and immediately approved the move. “I analyze the player’s profile, what he can bring to my team, and in that sense, I said, ‘Yes, I want him,’” he explained. The Portuguese coach also refused to focus on the €140 million price tag, leaving the financial side of the operation to president Florentino Pérez while concentrating on what Diomandé can bring to his team.
