Liverpool have been repeatedly linked with RB Leipzig hot-shot Yan Diomande, and the player has now spoken out openly on his future ahead of the summer transfer window
Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig
Yan Diomande is in demand over a summer move with Liverpool linked.(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool target Yan Diomande has dropped hints on his future amid speculation intensifying over a summer move. The 19-year-old RB Leipzig star even name-dropped Real Madrid and Chelsea as moves that motivate him to succeed.
The Reds have scouted the Ivorian throughout his breakout season in Germany's top-flight after a superb campaign for the teenager. During his surge to prominence, he has toppled records along the way in becoming the youngest player to net a treble in 60 years when he scored a hat-trick during the 6-0 rout over Eintracht Frankfurt in December.
But for Liverpool, their need to reinvest in their forward line has become increasingly apparent and it has intensified since the Mohamed Salah's departure was confirmed. Diomande will have a long list of suitors and the rumours suggest that the German club will not settle for less than €100m (£86.4m).
Diomande has been forced to discuss his future once again with a hectic summer of speculation anticipated. Speaking to Bulinews, he said: "Of course, if you imagine someone saying you have to go to Chelsea or Real Madrid to do this job, you’re going to be happy and motivated to do more.
“But I don’t think about this kind of thing because I’m trying to be focused on the pitch. Because my job is playing football, I leave everything else outside the pitch. It gives me a lot of motivation to see clubs speak about me. I'm focused. My contract runs until 2030, so I have four more years.
"I don’t know what’s going to happen after that. I’m a Leipzig player. That’s a big motivation because nobody knew me before. Paying €20 million for a player that nobody knows is a lot. That was a big risk for them, and I’m thankful for that. We are on a good way, and it’s not over. We need to keep going and keep working hard.
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"I will never forget this opportunity. It's not only about playing football. The club has helped me a lot off the pitch. The media only sees me on the pitch, but the club has helped me a lot with my family and my mom. I'm very grateful, and the only thing I can do to say thanks is to give everything on the pitch, and that's what I'm trying to do every day. I have a new dream every day, so I’m trying to go step by step.
"It's been an amazing season for me as a young boy, playing at the Africa Cup of Nations, qualifying for the Champions League, and now I'm going to play at the World Cup. I'm proud of myself and the people who followed me since the beginning.
"I didn’t expect everything to happen so quickly, but of course I have the ambition and vision. I want to become one of the best players in Africa and in Europe."
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Diomande changed his representation in recent months, a move that has taken him to American company Roc Nation.
The ECHO has been told that the firm are looking at the possibility of opening up the floor to interested parties, with Liverpool among those.
Before the summer of speculation comes around, Liverpool will have to ensure that they get their accounts in order and qualify for the Champions League.
They take on Aston Villa on Friday (8pm kick-off) and sit ahead of Unai Emery's side on goal difference in fourth. Bournemouth are four points off the Champions League places, with the added incentive of fifth place ensuring a route into the elite European competition.
A win for Liverpool would see them book their names in the pot for next season's League Phase before the curtain on a dour campaign falls down with the visit of Brentford on the final day.