Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThe business of football transfers can often be a brutal, ruthless and cutthroat affair.Huge sums of money are banded around, reputations can often be on the line, and careers can be permanently shaped, for better or for worse, in a single window.And it would now appear that the business of transfer journalism is going the same way, following a social media spat between two of the industrys leading ITK figures.Romano and Plenttenberg clash on social mediaIn recent years, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has amassed a huge social media following for his tireless output on transfers and football news, with Sky Germanys Florian Plettenberg also making a name for himself as another of footballs most high-profile ITKs.Transfer journalism has become something of a major cottage industry in recent times, and the race to be first to break a huge exclusive is a highly competitive field, so for those journalists in the trenches, tensions can be high - and occasionally, they can reach a fever pitch. You may like "Utter nonsense" Journalist clashes with former Newcastle United owner over Bruno Guimar�es potential transfer to Arsenal Could Kylian Mbappe really leave Real Madrid? Real Madrid release unusual club statement over Chelsea and Argentina World Cup star Enzo Fernandez transfer rumours This is exactly what happened on Sunday evening, when Plettenberg took umbrage of the reporting over Ivory Coast star Yan Diomandes rumoured transfer to Real Madrid, a story that Romano has been covering heavily.Doing his best Colombo impression, Plettenberg remarked on X that: And one more quick note on Yan Diomande saga, because more and more things in this business are becoming a bit ridiculous:Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.If there had already been a full agreement between RB Leipzig and Real Madrid, it would be possible to report the exact transfer fee, wouldnt it? The fact is: there still isnt one. That continues to be confirmed by RB Leipzig, Real Madrid and the players camp. If a 100 million bid has been rejected, then its pretty obvious the final fee will be well over 100 million, isnt it?This post was set upon by X user @Blue_Footy, who poked the bear when he asked Despite Fabrizios Here We Go?, sparking an instant response from the Italian, who posted:Dont worry, Diomande goes to Real Madrid as Klopp went to Germany. Ask about the fake news yesterday on Man City bidding 100m for Diomande when theyve been out for days, and when Madrid were already advancing. They are good at talking about others (not even that good, they cant even tag me) but check your own news first, then talk about me. What to read next Everything Florentino Perez said and DID in crazy Real Madrid press conference Rodri's Real Madrid move makes front-page news in Spain, with Manchester City exodus approaching Yan Diomande issues come-and-get-me plea to Liverpool rivals Plettenberg then warned Romano he had crossed a line by accusing him of fake news and went on to take down Romanos reporting of Germanys Jurgen Klopp appointment, which he called simply disrespectful to every journalist who actually does proper reporting.More old grudges were brought up between the pair, with Romano suggesting he may share historical personal messages from Plettenberg, who asked how to increase followers, before the latter moved to end the argument:Everyone should ask themselves on what basis they report agreements, agreements in principle, done deals or here we gos. Yan Diomande will join Real Madrid. DONE DEAL soon. Good night, he posted.That put a lid on the two transfer news big beasts argument for now, but with another five weeks of the transfer window left to run, dont be surprised if we see some more barbs in the run-up to deadline day.TOPICSReal MadridTransfer newsJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.
