Liverpool transfer news as reports in Germany claim the Reds are close to signing Yan Diomande, while Ayyoub Bouaddi's preference has emerged amid interest from Anfield and Arsenal
05:00, 16 Jun 2026
Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Group E - FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Cote D'Ivoire and Ecuador at Philadelphia Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, United States. (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Yan Diomande is reportedly close to a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Speculation is growing over Yan Diomande after the Liverpool transfer target’s first taste of the World Cup.
Some Reds fans may have gotten their first glimpse of the 19-year-old winger in action as the Ivory Coast took on Ecuador, and they no doubt will have been impressed by what they saw.
With his coach also hinting at a move to Anfield, supporters will be getting excited about the prospect of Diomande signing for Liverpool this summer, and there’s even more promising news coming out of Germany — although the Reds could face competition for another potential target emerging from the World Cup.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the latest transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds.
Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig)
RB Leipzig could demand as much as $174 million for Yan Diomande this summer, according to reports in Germany, which also suggest Liverpool may be closing in on his signing.
Fussbaldaten claims that the winger's initial asking price was around $116M (€100M), but that figure has risen to $151M (€130M) as Leipzig looks to retain his services. It's even suggested that, if he continues to perform well at the World Cup, a deal may only be approved if the entire transfer package approaches $174M (€150M).
As has been reported elsewhere, Liverpool is said to be the club pushing most aggressively for Diomande's signing, and is even claimed to be close to completing the transfer. Paris Saint-Germain is still in the running, although it's suggested the European champions will have to offload one of Bradley Barcola, Goncalo Ramos or Kang-in Lee first.
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Liverpool.com says: It's probably in Liverpool's best interest to try and strike quickly for Diomande. If his first game at the World Cup is anything to go by, it might not just be the Reds and PSG interested soon.
You'd imagine if the player wants a move, then Leipzig will come down on that asking price. $174M certainly feels like it would be far too much for Liverpool, especially after last year's spending spree, and with other priorities to sort out this summer.
Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)
Lille will demand around $81 million (€70M) for Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer, according to Sky Sports in Switzerland, with Liverpool and Arsenal having both been linked with the Morocco star — although he's said to prefer PSG.
The 18-year-old caught the eye during his country's 1-1 draw with Brazil at the weekend, and the Reds are said to be among the clubs to have made contact with his agents about a potential transfer.
Ayyoub Bouaddi of Morocco
Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked with Liverpool(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Arsenal though is being heavily linked with Bouaddi, having been claimed to have been working on him for several months and maintained regular contact since January. PSG is also said to be interested, and the player is said to have a slight preference for the European champions.
Liverpool.com says: It certainly sounds as though Arsenal has done a lot of the groundwork, although we doubt Liverpool would have only just sat up and taken notice of Bouaddi. The Reds will surely have been just as aware of him before the World Cup.
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He certainly looked impressive against Brazil. That won't be enough to make a definitive decision on his signing, but you'd bet good money he'll earn himself a big transfer off the back of this summer's tournament.