by [Austin Ditlhobolo](javascript:void(0))
Thursday Jun 04, 2026. 11:00
Ivorian starlet Yan Diomande has openly admitted his childhood love for PSG, delivering a significant blow to Liverpool’s hopes of signing the highly-rated 19-year-old RB Leipzig star.
In an interview ahead of an international friendly between France and Ivory Coast friendly on Thursday night, the winger deflected transfer questions while expressing warm affection for the French champions.
While Diomande emphasised his focus on the 2026 World Cup, his positive comments towards PSG strengthen the European champions’ position amid strong reported interest.
This emotional connection makes it tougher for Premier League giants Liverpool and other suitors to convince the player, as Diomande’s longstanding attachment to Paris clearly gives PSG a major advantage.
“It’s a team that I’ve loved since I was very little, but I’m not projecting myself into the future, I’m staying focused on the World Cup. We’ll see what happens next,” [Diomande said on L’Équipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Yan-diomande-attaquant-du-rb-leipzig-et-de-la-cote-d-ivoire-le-psg-est-une-equipe-que-j-aime-depuis-tout-petit/1681563).
Diomande enjoyed a breakout 2025/26 season at RB Leipzig, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in 33 German Bundesliga appearances (around 2,476 minutes).
With Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup — their first since 2014 — the teenager aims to help the Elephants progress beyond the group stage as they prepare to face Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao.