Liverpool are “unfortunately” going to complete the signing of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, according to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.
The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the Reds’ leading summer targets, as they look to fill the massive void that has been left by Mohamed Salah.
Journalist Ben Jacobs dropped a recent update regarding the battle to sign Diomande, with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain locking horns:
“The asking price is now above €100m (£86.3m). Leipzig seem to be adding about €1m a day, and the reason they’re doing that is because they want an answer from Diomande first. Until they get an answer as to whether he’s going to sign a new deal, Leipzig’s intention is to keep the price as high as possible in order to buy time and stall any potential 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 realise the player wants to leave and the overall package will likely come down a little.”
Now, speaking on YouTube [via Anfield Index], Ferdinand claimed that Diomande is going to be joining Liverpool this summer, much to his chagrin:
“Young Player of the Tournament? Diomande, Ivory Coast. I keep hearing he’s going to go to Liverpool, that’s what I keep hearing, unfortunately.”
Is Yan Diomande to Liverpool all but a done deal?
The fact that Ferdinand is saying this further suggests that Diomande will become a Liverpool player in the coming weeks, in what could be a stunning piece of business.
The Ivorian is a special talent with pace, directness and end product in abundance, and Reds supporters will have a great chance to watch him in action for the Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup.
Diomande is still raw, so it would be unfair to expect him to be an immediate hit and reach Salah’s levels from the off, but his potential is off the charts.
There is still the threat of PSG signing him, with a move to the reigning Champions League winners possibly appealing, but it does feel as though Liverpool are leading the race currently.