Liverpool have made Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig their priority target to replace Mohamed Salah this summer, going ‘full throttle’ in their pursuit of the 19-year-old Ivorian winger, according to TEAMtalk. The move comes as Salah is expected to leave Anfield despite having one year remaining on his contract, with his departure potentially unaffected even if manager Arne Slot were to be sacked.
Liverpool are reshaping their attacking strategy to focus on maximising the output of their central striker, meaning the wingers will need to contribute with assists as much as goals. Diomande fits this profile, having recorded 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 games across all competitions this season. The club has reportedly informed Diomande and his representatives of their strong interest, prioritising him over other targets like Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain.
Discussions are already underway regarding potential deal structures and payment terms, with Liverpool prepared to make a significant investment. David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Liverpool have “manoeuvred into a strong position” with the player and are expected to agree personal terms before submitting a formal bid to Leipzig. The potential transfer fee is expected to exceed €100m (£86m), which would make Diomande Liverpool’s third most expensive signing, behind Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
Such a fee would also represent a club-record sale for RB Leipzig, surpassing the €90m Manchester City paid for Josko Gvardiol. Analyst Seb Stafford Bloor of The Athletic highlighted Diomande’s exceptional speed and two-footed ability, describing him as a player who can “change speed” quickly and “poses a threat any time he touches the ball”. Bloor believes Diomande has already reached a level commensurate with a €100m valuation.
The potential arrival of Diomande signals Liverpool’s intent to inject pace and dynamism into their attack following a season often criticised for its slow build-up play. His ability to beat defenders in one-on-one situations would address a noted weakness in the current squad, and provide a new dimension to their attacking options.
