Liverpool is thought to be keen on exciting young RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande. Rio Ferdinand has now shared the information he's getting on the transfer.
11:15, 12 Jun 2026
England's former captain Rio Ferdinand looks on before the start of the UEFA Champions League final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal FC at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30, 2026.
Rio Ferdinand has revealed what he's been hearing about Yan Diomande's possible transfer to Liverpool. (Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
The World Cup is now upon us, and club football will start to take something of a back seat for the next month or so. But one thing that can never be stopped is the transfer rumor mill, and Yan Diomande is currently dominating the Liverpool headlines.
In fact, the tournament could even kick the speculation and intrigue into a higher gear, should Diomande impress for Ivory Coast. Rio Ferdinand is certainly expecting him to do so, tipping him to win the Young Player of the Tournament award.
That could throw a spanner in the works of any transfer; Diomande initially wanted his future resolved before the World Cup, and delays could cause complications and price hikes. Liverpool is thought to be making significant progress on a deal for the potential Mohamed Salah heir, but for now the teenager's future remains unresolved.
However, Ferdinand has adopted the unusual role as the bearer of good news for Liverpool. As well as tipping Diomande for a World Cup breakthrough, the former Manchester United player reluctantly conceded that the winger seems bound for Anfield.
"I keep hearing he's gonna go Liverpool though, innit," Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents. "That's what I keep hearing, unfortunately."
Whether Ferdinand is privy to any special information on Liverpool's inner transfer workings is up for debate, to put it politely. On the other hand, with Man United also linked with Diomande, it's not impossible the Old Trafford great could have some kind of inside track.
Perhaps more salient is the glowing manner in which Ferdinand talks about Diomande. Top-level defenders know the kinds of players they would hate to deal with, and it's clear that the 19-year-old fits in that category.
Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig) controls the ball during match day 33 1.Bundesliga, RB Leipzig and St. Pauli, Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany on May 09 2026.
Diomande lit up this season's Bundesliga with his direct running. (Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"I think Diomande is one of those who can come out and you go, hold on, where has that come from?," Ferdinand said. "He's bad [good], have you not seen him?
"What? Go on YouTube and have a check out."
He certainly fits the brief for Andoni Iraola. While the new manager has inherited a wealth of talent, he is facing a dearth of attacking options.
There's the obvious hole left by Salah. But beyond that, Liverpool's lack of directness arguably dates back to the sale of Luis Diaz, who would at least always be ready to attempt a take-on, even if his effectiveness started to wane in latter seasons.
Luca Jaquez of VfB Stuttgart and Luis Diaz of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the DFB Cup Final 2026 match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Olympiastadion on May 23, 2026 in Berlin, Germany.
Liverpool has missed the dribbling and tenacity of Luis Diaz.(Image: Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Before that, the Reds had Sadio Mane to call upon. Diomande has actually been compared to the former Liverpool man, and could inject some of that same urgency and quality.
Whether he can really win Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup is doubtful. As Ferdinand's co-hosts pointed out, there is stiff competition, with the more established name of like Lamine Yamal likely to be a strong favorite.
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Likewise, Desire Doue will be fancied for the accolade, assuming he can lock down a regular starting place. His chances of victory are swelled by the fact that France will probably progress further than Cote D'Ivoire (although Diomande's side did actually prevail 2-1 over Didier Deschamps' men in a pre tournament friendly).
But Liverpool will be satisfied as long as one of Ferdinand's two predictions comes true. Regardless of how the tournament plays out, it seems clear that Diomande would be a welcome addition for next season.