Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool are set to remain quiet in the January transfer window despite mounting pressure to reinforce the squad, with manager Arne Slot confirming the club is prioritising summer business instead.
The Reds, who splashed a record-breaking £446 million last summer, have conducted minimal business this January beyond youth signings Mor Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Slot insists the club will only act if the “right moment” arrives, refusing to panic-buy despite injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley.
By now, most Liverpool supporters are well aware that the club is tracking RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.
The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international has lit up the Bundesliga since his €20 million switch from Leganés last summer, producing seven goals and four assists in just 16 outings for Leipzig. His stunning rise has triggered interest from Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain, yet Diomande’s own admiration for Liverpool might ultimately swing any future deal.
“I want to play at Anfield. I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a Liverpool fan. My father dreams of seeing me play at Anfield,” Diomande said on a TikTok livestream last week.
Leipzig are demanding a major fee for their prized asset, with suggestions that anything between €60m and €100m (£52m-£87m) would be needed, a figure that would place him among the most expensive teenagers in football history.
And it seems that the summer window could set off the transfer battle, with Fabrizio Romano saying as much on his YouTube channel:
“The name of Yan Diomande continues to return in the news and in questions because he is considered one of the best young wingers in the world. However, RB Leipzig insist that they want to keep the player in January.
“Despite Manchester United sending scouts again and Tottenham being ready to do business immediately in January with an important financial proposal, Leipzig’s intention is clear.
“RB Leipzig insist that Diomande will not leave in this January window. They are not looking for money after making major sales in the summer, including Benjamin Sesko, Lois Openda and Xavi Simons.
“The message from Leipzig is that the player will stay in January, but in the summer it will be a crazy battle. Man Utd are sending scouts, Tottenham are involved and PSG are also following the player closely.”
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