Mourinho speaks out! Sets 19-year-old rising star as top target, bluntly says Real Madrid needs more speed.

Earlier, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Mourinho has officially approved Diomande as Real Madrid's top summer transfer target. He told the Real Madrid board very directly that the team needs "more speed" and fresh blood in the forward line.

Romano's authority is beyond doubt, and Mourinho personally gave the green light, which makes it interesting.

You know, Real Madrid's attacking players are not lacking in speed. Mbappé, Vinícius—both are among the world's top attackers with elite speed and technique. A healthy Rodrygo is also a sharp blade, but Mourinho is still calling for "speed." It sounds a bit absurd, but upon reflection, Mourinho must have seen something others haven't.

As we all know, Mourinho's preferred style is counter-attacking, and Real Madrid's current squad is also most lethal on the counter. The forwards can tear apart any defense when they sprint. But Real Madrid will be competing on multiple fronts next season, and Mourinho's ambition is not limited to one line; he wants to win everything. Therefore, he needs more speed-oriented attackers.

Mbappé had 42 goals in 44 games last season, scoring 25 in La Liga to win the Pichichi, and 15 in the Champions League. His strengths are positioning, finishing, and instant burst acceleration—perfect for counter-attacks, but he plays more centrally. Vinícius is also a counter-attacking expert, but his form fluctuated last season, and he primarily plays on the left.

Rodrygo is more of a winger who carries the ball, and he has had his share of injuries. Endrick is still growing. Gonzalo García and Brahim Díaz are squad rotation players. Mastantuono has been explicitly loaned out by Mourinho.

What Mourinho needs is another winger, specifically a right-wing explosive player. That's why there were rumors about Olise before, and now he's targeting Diomande. Diomande is equally capable with both feet, but his preferred position is on the right. He himself has stated that he prefers the right side.

In Mourinho's tactical system, the task of wingers is not just to score goals. He needs wingers to use their speed to pin back the opponent's full-backs, creating space for the midfielders and center forward. A winger who can continuously attack the defense and create one-on-one situations is more valuable tactically than one who only cuts inside to shoot.

Diomande is precisely the former type.

What level is Diomande? The numbers don't lie.

In the 2025-26 season, he played 36 games for Leipzig, contributing 13 goals and 9 assists, directly involved in 22 goals. In the Bundesliga, he had 12 goals and 8 assists in 33 games. He was voted the Bundesliga Best Newcomer of the season.

But what truly makes the big clubs scramble is not the goal tally, but the dominance he shows in one-on-one situations.

Diomande averaged 4.17 dribbles per game in the Bundesliga this season, with a success rate of 62.7%, ranking first in the league. His top speed is 35.98 km/h, ranking second in the Bundesliga. His number of progressive carries in the World Cup was far ahead of all other stars, creating a significant gap.

A 19-year-old kid, 1.81 meters tall, fast, explosive, and with top dribbling skills. In simple terms: he is the kind of player who makes you feel something is going to happen every time he gets the ball.

Mourinho wants exactly that "something is going to happen" feeling.

From Olise to Diomande, Mourinho personally pressed the switch button.

Real Madrid initially targeted Olise.

Florentino considered Olise as the top target, believing he could form a dream attacking line with Vinícius and Mbappé. But Bayern held on tightly, and Olise was not for sale.

Mourinho did not put all his eggs in one basket. According to Spanish media, he directly vetoed the idea of continuing to pursue Olise and shifted his target to Diomande.

This shift changed the transfer fee from Olise's premium of 200 million euros to a realistic offer of around 120 million for Diomande. The money saved can be used to strengthen other positions.

According to Romano, Real Madrid has submitted an official offer to Leipzig: 90 million euros fixed plus 10 million in add-ons. But Leipzig directly rejected it, with their ideal price around 120 million euros.

However, some reporters say Leipzig's asking price is around 130 million euros, likely as a fixed fee. Leipzig has even brought up Florentino's campaign promise of "a 150-million-euro level signing" to put pressure.

Besides the high price, Real Madrid will also face competition from other big clubs. PSG is also interested in Diomande, and the player has publicly shown favor. Additionally, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal are also on the list of competitors.

Mourinho has already pressed the switch from Olise to Diomande. Now it depends on whether Real Madrid and Leipzig can iron out the final 20 million euro difference before Monday.

If this deal goes through, Real Madrid's forward line will truly have the final piece of the puzzle. Imagine having to face the impact of Vinícius, Mbappé, and Diomande all at once—what a terrifying nightmare. If this deal is completed, Real Madrid fans will undoubtedly have a happy summer transfer window.