RB Leipzig’s previous interest in Harvey Elliott could serve Liverpool in any pursuit of £85 million-rated Yan Diomande this summer.
Elliott & Diomande: The Summer Strategy
Failed Loan: Harvey Elliott returns to Anfield this summer after a season to forget at Aston Villa, where he failed to trigger a permanent £35m transfer.
Salah Successor: 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande is the club’s “top transfer target” to eventually succeed Mo Salah, but carries a massive £85 million price tag.
Strategic Makeweight: Paul Joyce suggests Elliott could be used as a “means” to lower the cash outlay for the Leipzig star, who was already a target for the Bundesliga side last year.
Concrete Interest: Reports from Sky Germany and The Times confirm that internal discussions are progressing as Liverpool look to refresh their attacking dynamism.
It has been a season to forget for Elliott, playing only 277 minutes across nine appearances for Aston Villa after Unai Emery quickly cast him aside.
With his loan conditions not being met, playing 10 Premier League games, he will return to Liverpool at the end of the season, seeing the club miss out on an agreed £35 million transfer fee.
While there is certainly merit in retaining his services, Liverpool are expected to listen to offers, or could even offer him up throughout transfer discussions.
This is where Leipzig and Diomande enter the picture. As noted by the *Times*‘ Paul Joyce, Leipzig did table an offer for Elliott last summer, albeit around a lowly £20 million.
Aston Villa's Harvey Elliott (right) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Carabao Cup third round match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday September 16, 2025.
But Liverpool’s known interest in Diomande could cause a re-evaluation as they seek out Mo Salah‘s successor.
Joyce rightly explains that, “should talks on Diomande formally progress in the future, it would be no surprise if Elliott was mentioned as a means of bringing down the Ivorian’s £85million price tag.”
The 19-year-old winger has been described as the Reds’ “top transfer target,” and it was even claimed by Sky Germany that “concrete talks” have taken place with Diomande’s representatives.
Leipzig are looking to renegotiate Diomande’s contract with a pay rise and extended terms, but Liverpool including Elliott as part of their talks could hold weight.
Yan Diomande goal celebration (Photo by Tomasz Karczewski/Arena Akcji/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Of course, this would require Elliott to green light a move to Germany, which could now prove more alluring having seen Jarell Quansah‘s success at Bayer Leverkusen and Tyler Morton‘s development in France.
With only one 90-minute outing across the entire season, Elliott needs a club that will show faith and offer consistent game time, which Leipzig have a track record in with young players.
As for Liverpool, the versatility of Diomande will be attractive, as will the 19-year-old’s pace and dynamism, traits which have been lacking in Liverpool’s attack this season.
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