Liverpool in pole position to sign Yan Diomande - David Ornstein

Updated: 4 Jun 2026 16:20 BST | 4 min read

Yan Diomande, RB Leipzig, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Liverpool are "in the strongest position" to sign RB Leipzig wonderkid Yan Diomande this summer.

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The Ivory Coast international is preparing for his first World Cup after breaking into his country's senior national team in the season just gone, courtesy of his inspired performances in the Bundesliga.

Just two years ago, Diomande was still playing amateur football in the US and going on unsuccessful trials with various clubs in Europe. He ultimately joined Leganes in Spain before Leipzig took a chance on him last summer.

Current ETV

Yan Diomande

F (RL)

RB Leipzig

Yan Diomande

F (RL)

RB Leipzig

ETV Range

€30.1M - €36.8M

Signed for an eyebrow-raising €20 million, Diomande went from virtual no-name to superstar in a matter of weeks. He immediately hit like a bomb in the Bundesliga and quickly had a €100 million price tag slapped on his head.

His breakout season saw him attract the attention of various European giants. Despite the World Cup, the battle to secure the 19-year-old winger's signature is now heating up.

Liverpool open Diomande talks

Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, PSG and Liverpool have all been linked with Diomande in recent months. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, it is the Reds who are currently best-placed to strike a deal with the Ivorian.

Earlier on Thursday, comments surfaced of Diomande talking up a potential move to PSG, but Ornstein understands that Liverpool have made major progress in discussions with the player's camp.

With the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the club's new head coach seemingly under wraps - he was spotted leaving the club's facilities on Thursday - Liverpool are now pressing ahead with their pursuit of Diomande.

Contact with RB Leipzig has been established to discuss a deal, Ornstein understands. PSG's well-documented interest in Diomande remains firm, but the Parisians are currently not in as strong a position as Liverpool.

However, the transfer insider emphasises that a move to Merseyside is far from a foregone conclusion at this stage. Leipzig do not want to sell Diomande and have been trying to agree a new contract with him in order to convince him to stay one more season.

Ornstein adds that only a bid in excess of €130m could test Leipzig's resolve over Diomande. It is doubtful whether Liverpool are prepared to stump up such a figure given their record-breaking outlay last year.

A quick resolution may not be forthcoming. Consequently, Liverpool are also exploring a variety of other options. They have been linked with the likes of Bradley Barcola, Bazoumana Toure, Matias Fernandez-Pardo and more in recent weeks.

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