Failed trial at Chelsea, 3 Premier League clubs snubbed: Yan Diomande is now heading to Real Madrid

Last Updated on 26 July 2026

Three years ago, Yan Diomande was a teenager on trial at Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Rangers, with people around him insisting he absolutely had to sign for Stamford Bridge.

He made his own decision, chose Leganes, and disappeared from English football’s radar almost immediately. This summer, every major Premier League club came back for him. He turned them all down again. Real Madrid agreed personal terms.

The Premier League is 0-for-everything with Yan Diomande and the gap between that Chelsea trial and the Santiago Bernabeu is one of football’s most extraordinary three-year journeys.

Yan Diomande: from a trial at Chelsea to Real Madrid’s verbal agreement

Diomande has spoken openly about the Chelsea episode. “It was a difficult time. I felt like for many people, it was all about money. A lot of people told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea. Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself,” he told Bild via Goal.

He went to Spain, then to the United States, then to RB Leipzig, where 23 goals and assists in his debut Bundesliga season and a World Cup that turned him into one of the planet’s most coveted wingers rewrote his market value entirely.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed this week that Manchester City and Arsenal both made formal approaches over the last 10 days and Diomande did not open the door. Liverpool expressed serious interest and were willing to invest heavily, but that did not happen, either.

After negotiations with PSG stalled, Real Madrid moved decisively. They reached a verbal agreement with Diomande and with Leipzig, too. And, just like that Ivory Coast’s latest crown jewel escapes the Premier League to carve out his destiny at the Bernabeu.

Liverpool and Arsenal continue their search for wingers after failed pursuits

The biggest losers from the Yan Diomande saga are Liverpool and Arsenal. After Liverpool’s failed move for Diomande, the Gunners were ready to break the bank for the Ivorian, once Morgan Rogers said yes to Chelsea. Both clubs are ready to shift their attention elsewhere.

So, Arsenal reached out to Real Madrid to express their interest in Vinicius Jr, who underwent chin surgery. Meanwhile, Liverpool are interested in signing PSG’s Bradley Barcola after he rejected a new contract. But, for the Premier League’s elite, it has been a summer to forget.

The Chelsea angle makes the whole story richer. They once had him on their training ground but got declined. Since then, Chelsea have spent hundreds of millions on wide attackers who have not come close to what Diomande’s potential promises.