Liverpool will be keeping a close eye on Yan Diomande during this summer's World Cup, but his involvement in the tournament could pose a problem as his price reportedly increases
10:40, 11 Jun 2026
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 07: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Yan Diomande #11 of Cote d'Ivoire poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 07, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sarah Stier - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Liverpool is targeting Yan Diomande this summer(Image: Getty Images)
A huge summer of soccer gets underway on Thursday, and Liverpool will be keeping a close eye on events in North America as the World Cup kicks off.
Mexico gets things started later as it takes on South Africa, with fellow co-hosts Canada and the United States following this weekend, although the Reds’ immediate focus might lie a little beyond those games, with their primary transfer target taking center stage in just a few days.
There will be plenty of eyes on Yan Diomande, with the RB Leipzig winger having garnered plenty of interest after a superb debut season in the Bundesliga. Liverpool is reportedly leading the race for his signature, although there is still a lot of work to be done.
Paris Saint-Germain is also interested, while Leipzig is putting up a serious fight in its attempts to keep the 19-year-old.
What’s more, with Diomande about to send a timely reminder of his talents, there could be more clubs about to enter the fray. The winger will be expected to be in action when the Ivory Coast gets its tournament underway against Ecuador on June 14 (midnight on June 15 in the United Kingdom).
A meeting with potential new teammate Florian Wirtz follows on June 20 against Germany, while Curacao provides the final opponent of the group stage on June 25, with Diomande hoping his tournament can stretch beyond that.
France's defender #15 Ibrahima Konate (L) and Ivory Coast's forward #11 Yan Diomande (R) fight for the ball during the international friendly football match between France and Ivory Coast ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, western France, on June 4, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
Yan Diomande is set to star for the Ivory Coast at the World Cup(Image: FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
The problem for Liverpool is that the better he and the Ivory Coast perform, the more interest there is likely to be in Diomande, and what is currently a three-horse race between the Reds, PSG and Leipzig could expand.
And it’s not like Diomande is getting any cheaper. In fact, reports suggest he might be getting even more expensive.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the teenager’s asking price has now gone beyond the $117 million that was widely reported previously, and is only growing.
“Leipzig seem to be adding about €1m a day, and the reason why they’re doing that is because they want an answer first from Diomande,” he told Givemesport’s Market Madness podcast.
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“Until they get an answer as to whether he’s gonna sign a new deal, Leipzig’s intent is to keep the price as high as possible to buy time and stagnate a deal.
“As soon as Diomande says he’s either staying or going, Leipzig will either settle his future, and there’ll be no move this summer, or at the opposite extreme, they’ll realize the player wants to go and then the overall package will likely come down a little bit.”
The good news for Liverpool is that it is claimed to have made progress on Diomande’s side of things, and an exit from Leipzig does appear to be the best bet at the moment.
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The longer he stays at the World Cup though, the more difficult it could get to complete a deal.