Liverpool is actively pursuing a summer transfer for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with reports indicating the 19-year-old now prioritizes a move to Anfield.
The pursuit comes as the club looks to reinforce its wide positions following Mohamed Salah's departure.
New head coach Andoni Iraola is aiming to reconstruct the frontline around the Ivory Coast international, who scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances last season.
Liverpool reporter James William stated on X that the Premier League club has made progress in securing the player, who is reportedly eager to join Iraola's tactical project over interest from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The Anfield hierarchy has submitted an official bid, though RB Leipzig remains highly reluctant to part with the teenager and values him at upwards of £120 million, as reported by readliverpoolfc.
com.
World Cup Performance Boosts Profile
Diomande further elevated his global profile during his World Cup debut in Philadelphia, earning man-of-the-match honors after creating five chances and delivering 22 passes in the attacking third during Ivory Coast's 1-0 win over Ecuador.
Addressing the intense transfer speculation following the final whistle, Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae discussed the conflicting reports surrounding the young winger's immediate future.
"When we were in France, during the preparation, journalists told me he was about to sign with PSG," said Fae.
The national team manager emphasized that the player must remain grounded despite the significant attention from elite European clubs.
"Here, they tell me he's about to sign with Liverpool!
I don't know, but for now, he will focus on the World Cup, and then afterwards, he can think about the rest of his career," Fae added.
Fae praised the work ethic and character of the number 11, noting his willingness to learn from the technical staff.
"Yan – what can I say? I can't put it into words.
He's very talented, but beyond the talent, he's very young and he'll improve," said Fae.
"He's a kid who works hard, has a real team spirit, laughs with everyone, and he listens to the technical staff whenever he's given advice, and tries to do his best."
The teenager consistently troubled Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie throughout the match, setting up multiple opportunities for his teammates.
"It's easy to work with someone like Yan, he's so talented and has what is needed, plus he can give you the victory and was a real challenge for Hincapie, a Champions League finalist," said Fae.
Fae also reflected on how his entire squad overcame initial tournament nerves to secure the opening victory.
"It's the first World Cup for all 26 players, a first outing for them, so it was difficult, there was some doubt, there was some fear," said Fae.
He noted that tactical adjustments in the second half allowed his dangerous attacking players to assert dominance.
"In the second half, we took more risks, were more concentrated, made fewer individual mistakes.
Plus, we have great attacking players, like Yan, like Amad, and they were able to get more on the ball, push Ecuador back."
Alternative Transfer Scenarios Emerge
While Liverpool pushes for Diomande, alternative transfer scenarios have emerged involving potential market movements between the competing clubs.
Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor suggested on talkSPORT that Paris Saint-Germain might ultimately land the 19-year-old, which could subsequently free up another target for Liverpool.
"When you're that good at that age and you have so long left of your career, if you don't get injured of course, your price tag is going to be so much higher than a 24-year-old," said Agbonlahor.
He highlighted Diomande's remarkable individual statistics from his breakout Bundesliga season to justify the massive valuation.
"I know he's not proven amazingly yet but last season Diomande scored 12 goals and had nine assists in the league for Leipzig, he's 19 years of age."
Agbonlahor pointed to the winger's explosive dribbling ability showcased on the international stage against top-tier defenders.
"Over the season, he has 118 successful dribbles, 50 more than anyone else and last night he made Hincapie look ordinary.
He twisted him left, right and centre on the big stage," said Agbonlahor.
He predicted that a move to France would result in a domino effect benefiting the Merseyside club's frontline recruitment.
"I think he goes to PSG because of the way they're performing at the moment and PSG will let Barcola go to Liverpool because they don't need that many wingers," said Agbonlahor.
He expressed confidence that Diomande would immediately command a starting role and offer a high goalscoring threat compared to alternative options.
"Diomande would 100 per cent get straight in the team and it looks like he would score more goals than Barcola."
Regardless of the final destination, the retired striker noted that securing such a young talent represents a significant financial gamble for any elite side.
"Either way, Liverpool will get one of the two players but PSG will want the 19-year-old.
It's like Jadon Sancho, United paid 75mil for him, if he comes over and it doesn't work, it's a big risk," said Agbonlahor.
Off the field, Diomande's global profile continues to rise after he recently joined the Roc Nation Sports agency, which is currently facing a legal dispute from his previous representatives, Maxidel Management.
