Mbappe defends €140m Real Madrid signing Diomande amid criticism over goalless start

Real Madrid’s Ivorian forward Yan Diomande joined the club from RB Leipzig in a €140 million transfer, becoming the team’s record signing. Despite the hefty price tag, Diomande has yet to score in LaLiga and has not impressed early in the season, drawing criticism about the fee. Speaking to AS, teammate Kylian Mbappe urged critics to give Diomande time, saying, 'You can clearly see the quality! We will try to protect him.' Mbappe added that Diomande has already shown he possesses the necessary talent to succeed at Madrid.

The transfer fee places enormous pressure on the player, reflecting the trend of clubs investing heavily in African talent. For Nigerian fans following overseas stars, Diomande’s situation highlights the expectations and scrutiny that come with big-money moves. It also raises questions about how quickly new signings must deliver to justify their cost.

Will you judge Diomande by his early goalless streak, or will you give him time to adapt and prove his worth at one of the world’s biggest clubs?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/18/laliga-people-are-talking-about-diomandes-e140-transfer-fee-mbappe/