Roc Nation Sports, the agency representing Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. and Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, has warned journalists and media outlets against publishing false reports about its clients.
The agency released the statement on Monday, expressing concern over what it described as the growing spread of inaccurate and misleading stories involving several players under its management.
Founded by music mogul Jay-Z (Shawn Carter), Roc Nation began as an entertainment company in 2008 before launching Roc Nation Sports in 2013. The agency has since become one of the biggest names in athlete representation, managing footballers, basketball players, American football stars, boxers, baseball players and athletes across several other sports.
In football alone, Roc Nation Sports represents about 142 players with a combined market value of roughly €787 million, according to Transfermarkt. Across all sports, the agency manages around 260 athletes.
Its football roster includes some of the game’s biggest names, including Vinicius Jr., Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Yan Diomande and Chris Richards.
The statement comes at a time when both Vinicius Jr. and Diomande have been at the centre of intense transfer speculation.
Statement from Roc Nation:
“FAKE NEWS
Roc Nation Sports International and our entire team cannot stand idle when unprofessional and uninformed media publish fake and damaging information for attention-seeking purposes.
This is especially unacceptable when it personally targets our clients without any foundation. It is disruptive, harmful, and libelous. Media outlets and journalists need to hold themselves accountable.
Statement from Roc Nation Sports International President Michael Yormark.”
Diomande has been strongly linked with a move from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid.
David Ornstein reported that the player had already agreed personal terms with the Spanish giants, while both clubs continued talks over a transfer fee.
Fabrizio Romano later reported that the deal was a done deal, become the biggest transfer involving an African player. Florian Plettenberg disagreed with that claim, insisting that Real Madrid and RB Leipzig are still negotiating and that no agreement has been reached between the clubs.
Vinicius Jr. has also linked for the move away from Los Blancos, with Arsenal suggested to be the strongest contender to land the Brazilian. The winger is seeking improved contract terms at Real Madrid, while the club has remained firm on its salary structure.
Real Madrid are keen to resolve the situation before the transfer window closes, with reports indicating the club would prefer the player signs a new contract or leaves this summer rather than risk losing him on a free transfer when his current deal expires.
