If Fabrizio Romano is to be believed, Real Madrid are on the verge of signing RB Leipzig star winger Yan Diomande for around 120 million euros, and whlie Jose Mourinho and the club maintain that this has nothing to do with VInicius Junior's future, rampant rumors linking him to Arsenal say otherwise.
As Real Madrid finalize their 2026 summer transfers, including more potential outgoings, here is a look at how the depth chart stands while accounting for the new additions of Diomande and young striker Carlos Espi. Each attacking position in the front three will have four players listed.
LW
1. Vinicius Junior
2. Kylian Mbappe
3. Yan Diomande
4. Rodrygo Goes
Vinicius Junior can't really play any position other than left winger in a three man front, but he is the No. 1 option and has that spot locked down. Now, the left wing is Kylian Mbappe's best position, and whlie that makes him the second guy in the squad, if Vini were to be sold to Arsenal, you'd have to figure Rodrygo Goes might start there when healthy since Yan Diomande is, like Rodrygo Goes was to Vinicius Jr., the better right winger than Rodrygo.
So Diomande and Mbappe are above Rodrygo in fourth based on who is the best overall, but if Vini goes, maybe Rodrygo gets one last chance to shine in his best position. We shall see.
RW
1. Yan Diomande
2. Endrick
3. Rodrygo Goes
4. Brahim Diaz
Real Madrid signed Yan Diomande to start immediately, as a 120 million euro investment is not usually what is spent on a backup player. And after playing nearly as well as Michael Olise, a Ballon d'Or candidate, in his first Bundesliga seasons, Diomande deserves to start.
Rodrygo had the right wing locked down for a couple of seasons, but he has always been underwhelming there. Endrick is a better striker than a winger, but if he stays in Madrid, he should get some licks in that position due to being left footed. As for Brahim Diaz, he is the final option on the right side as an ambipedal forward, and it is much better to play him there than to waste Arda Guler's development with minutes on the wing.
ST
1. Kylian Mbappe
2. Carlos Espi
3. Endrick
4. Rodrygo Goes
Kylian Mbappe is the main man in the middle and the one Real Madrid look to for the goals, but Rodrygo Goes can also play as a center forward in the middle, even if he doesn't have the ruthlesness or finishing chops to be an option higher than fourth. New signing Carlos Espi gets the nod over Endrick, who is likely to be loaned, but if the Brazilian stays, the competition for minutes behind Mbappe could get really heated under Jose Mourinho.
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