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Jun 21, 2026 Major2
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Liverpool intensify pursuit of Yan Diomande as Leipzig demands soar towards £128m
Liverpool are intensifying their pursuit of RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, with the club confident in their ability to attract the 19-year-old to Anfield. However, Leipzig are demanding up to £128m for the winger, with Liverpool's opening £90m offer already rejected and experts warning against paying over £100m.
Quick Facts
Who
Yan Diomande
What
Liverpool pursue Diomande transfer
When
Summer 2026
Where
Liverpool (England)
- Liverpool pursue Diomande transfer
- Leipzig reject opening bid
- Liverpool present detailed vision and contract offer
- Diomande impresses at World Cup
- Leipzig demand increased fee
Liverpool are accelerating their efforts to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with the club increasingly confident the 19-year-old wants to move to Anfield. The Merseyside giants have already tabled an opening offer of around £90m, which Leipzig rejected, but remain undeterred despite the German club's escalating demands.
Leipzig are standing firm in their valuation, with the Bundesliga side seeking a package that could reach £128m—a figure that would rival Ousmane Dembélé's transfer to Barcelona as the biggest sale in Bundesliga history. Club officials have compared Diomande to Erling Haaland in terms of talent emerging from their system, justifying their premium asking price of at least £100m to £112m. The 19-year-old Ivorian has no release clause in his contract, giving Leipzig complete control over negotiations.
Liverpool's confidence stems from extensive groundwork and their ability to present a compelling vision to Diomande. Under new manager Andoni Iraola, the club has outlined a detailed project positioning the teenager as the long-term successor to Mohamed Salah on the right flank and a cornerstone of the new era. Liverpool have offered a six-year contract with a financial package believed to be difficult for Leipzig to match, and sources indicate the player is attracted by the prospect of becoming a central figure in the club's future.
However, expert opinion suggests caution. Sky Sports pundit Jay Bothroyd has warned Liverpool against exceeding £100m, arguing that while Diomande is an exciting prospect with a high ceiling, a fee beyond that level would be excessive for a player who was at relegated Leganes just over a year ago. Bothroyd maintains that £86-90m represents fair value, noting that sums approaching £112m should be reserved for established world-class wingers.
Despite the warnings, Liverpool appear willing to negotiate further. Paris Saint-Germain remain monitoring the situation and would be prepared to move if encouraged by Diomande's camp. The outcome may ultimately depend on whether the player makes his preference for Liverpool clear, which could significantly shift the dynamics of negotiations in the Reds' favour.
Why This Matters
This transfer saga directly impacts Liverpool's long-term attacking strategy and squad-building philosophy under new manager Andoni Iraola. If successful, Diomande would represent a generational talent positioned as Mohamed Salah's successor; if the fee escalates beyond expert-recommended levels (£100m+), it signals unsustainable spending that could distort the club's financial planning and set problematic precedent for future signings. The outcome will also define Liverpool's negotiating power in the transfer market and their ability to resist competitor pressure from PSG.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2025
WireDiomande plays for Leganes in LaLiga