Liverpool remain keen on signing RB Leipzig star Yann Diomande, but summer transfer deal already looks complicated
Liverpool want to sign Yann Diomande but RB Leipzig value him at around £85m
RB Leipzig are adamant Liverpool target Yann Diomande is not going anywhere this summer.
The Reds have the 19-year-old Ivorian international near the top of their wish list and are prepared to compete with European giants PSG for his signature.
However, Leipzig’s leaders are prepared to reject big offers after securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Their hardline stance could therefore hamper Liverpool’s chances of signing the coveted teenager, and complicate the situation for PSG’s Bradley Barcola, who is also on the radar of Arsenal.
PSG are ready to consider offers for Barcola. Barcola has just two years left on his current contract at the Parc des Princes, but a deal valued at £85m could bring in Diomand, who is also at the center of a legal dispute.
The forward signed with Jay-Z’s agent Roc Nation Sports in February, but rival company Maxydel, owned by former Leeds player Max Gradel, insists Diomande remains “contractually bound” to its stable.
Earlier this year, Maxydel claimed he had renewed his contract with the Ivorian treasure before switching internationals.
Mirror Football understands that the Court of Arbitration for Sport is currently investigating the matter and has filed a lawsuit demanding that Diomande be complied with.
That’s part of the reason why there’s definitely a chance he’ll stay in Germany, especially considering it’s also a World Cup year.
Manchester United had also expressed interest, but this has now cooled as they prioritize revamping Michael Carrick’s midfield.
PSG are also interested in Liverpool target Yann Diomande (Image: (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images))
While history suggests Leipzig are a selling club, there is important context to consider.
Last summer, they were under financial pressure after missing out on European qualification altogether when they sold Benjamin Sesco to Manchester United and Xavi Simmons to Tottenham.
The situation is a little different this time, and amidst the turmoil, Leipzig are already working on extending Diomande’s contract, which runs until 2030, and are internally discussing the possibility of a termination clause.
The German only joined from CD Leganes in July last year for around £17.3 million and his current contract does not include a buy-out option.
Last Friday, Leipzig chairman Oliver Mintzlaff said on the record that he was prepared to block a sale in the coming months.
“If I were sporting director, I wouldn’t sell this young player who hasn’t played a full season yet, regardless of the asking price,” he told Sky Germany.
“Therefore, all I can do is advise the management to keep this player with us next year. After that we will have to see how he develops further.”
Mintzlaff also acknowledged that Diomand could become “even more expensive” over time.
Yann Diomande shined in his debut season at RB Leipzig (Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The player himself recently said in an interview with Kicker that he intends to remain at RB Leipzig next season, but that doesn’t feel guaranteed yet.
The left winger has scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions this season, earning him the Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award.
Diomande had unsuccessful trials with Chelsea, Rangers and Bournemouth before his breakthrough season in Spain.
Given that the £116.5m Florian Wirths is struggling to adapt to the Premier League, it’s hard to imagine Liverpool spending top dollar on a fairly underdeveloped prospect who played his college football in Florida until 2024.
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