Liverpool have made contact with RB Leipzig over a deal for Yan Diomande, and are in the “strongest position” when it comes to convincing the winger to join.
Diomande is the leading target as Liverpool look to replace Mo Salah and bolster their attacking ranks this summer, with at least one winger to join.
That has now led to official contact with the 19-year-old’s current club Leipzig, with The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reporting on their efforts to “step up their pursuit” on Thursday.
While Liverpool’s interest in Diomande has long been known, Ornstein adds that they are “also in the strongest position with the player over a potential deal at present.”
Paris Saint-Germain are among the winger’s other suitors and Fabrizio Romano reports on YouTube that the Ivorian wants his future resolved before the World Cup.
Why Liverpool are ahead of PSG in Diomande race
Yan Diomande goal celebration (Photo by Tomasz Karczewski/Arena Akcji/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Romano also claims on Instagram that Liverpool have offered the “best salary” so far, but talks are ongoing between Leipzig and both clubs.
Leipzig’s price tag is held up as a clear stumbling block, with the Bundesliga side insisting they will only do business for a fee in excess of €130 million (£112.4m).
However the frequency of reports around Diomande’s future and the confirmed interest from Liverpool and PSG suggests those involved believe a deal could be struck for significantly less.
That is, after all, how Leipzig typically operate, with their hardline stance often negotiated down over protracted talks.
2R03B5T Freiburg Im Breisgau, Germany. 06th May, 2023. Soccer: Bundesliga, SC Freiburg - RB Leipzig, Matchday 31, Europa-Park Stadion. Leipzig's Dominik Szoboszlai cheers after the game. Credit: Tom Weller/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche FuBball Liga and the DFB Deutscher FuBball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequence pictures and/or video-like photo series./dpa/Alamy Live News
The last two players Liverpool signed from Leipzig did not require club-to-club talks, though, with Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai both moving after their release clauses were met.
Relations between the two clubs are strong and there had been contact over a move for Harvey Elliott last summer, though Leipzig were unwilling to match the asking price.
It has been suggested that Elliott could be offered as a makeweight in any deal for Diomande, though new head coach Andoni Iraola is planning to run the rule over his returning loanees in pre-season.
Diomande scored 13 goals and laid on 10 assists in 36 games last season, which was his first campaign since swapping Leganes and Leipzig.
Though there is a small sample size when it comes to the Ivory Coast international there are clearly no concerns within Liverpool’s recruitment team.
PSG’s Bradley Barcola is another target while Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa and Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Toure have also been linked.