The Liverpool target has revealed he turned down a move to another Premier League club.
The Liverpool target has revealed he turned down a move to another Premier League club.
The Reds appear to be in for another uncertain summer which is most likely to include some notable outgoings and incomings.
Liverpool’s title defence has been far worse than many imagined at the start of the season and the club will most likely look so heavily strengthen in the summer.
Despite spending big last summer, success can’t be bought, and Arne Slot has struggled to cope with the amount that his side changed during the summer.
The euphoria of winning the Premier League during his first season in charge has quickly faded and the Dutchman now attempts to steer Liverpool through a real transitional period.
At the root of that is the club beginning to slowly build a youthful spine that will guide the team into a future that doesn’t include star names such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
Highly rated centre-back Jeremy Jacquet has been brought in with the eventual departure of Van Dijk in mind, and the Reds continue to keep their eyes on a number of talented youngsters in the forward department too.
Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig is a name that is regularly mentioned and he has been impressing so far this season.
At just 19 years of age, he has become a key part of the Bundesliga side, featuring 24 times in all competitions so far this season, scoring 9 goals and registering 6 assists.
Liverpool appear to be in a good position to sign him this summer, with the player admitting it is his dad’s favourite club, and an immediate pathway could be presented to him should Mohamed Salah depart at the end of the season.
Bayern Munich are also believed to be in the race for his signature.
Diomande has now revealed that he rejected a move to Chelsea when he was younger.
Speaking to RBLive, as reported by GOAL, he said:
“It was a difficult time. I felt like for many people, it was all about money. A lot of people told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea. Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself.”
“I knew the president of Leganes; he had helped with my move to the USA. Suddenly, I was faced with a choice: Leganes or Chelsea? It was risky, but luckily, it was the right decision. I think patience is very important in football.”
“It’s not always just about money. If you play well, it will come naturally. I’m young; I need to play to increase my sporting value, to improve. And I wouldn’t get that on the bench.”
Diomande’s choice to sign for Leganes has worked out for him as it then saw him sign a five-year deal with Leipzig last summer and he is now grabbing the attention of Europe’s elite.
Whilst he has mostly remained tight-lipped about the possibility of a summer departure, when asked about his future he did say this.
“I don’t make these decisions alone. One thing I can promise: I’ll never argue with my club! Of course, I probably won’t end my career here. When the time comes, we’ll talk. But if I stay here this summer, I’ll be absolutely happy.”
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