Liverpool’s imminent £34.5 million deal for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz has not affected the club’s ongoing pursuit of priority winger target Yan Diomande.
Munoz will sign a six-year contract with Liverpool after his release clause was triggered, having already passed a medical in the United States.
But despite the winger now being close to completing his switch to Merseyside, the Reds retain their strong interest in RB Leipzig’s Diomande.
The Times‘ Paul Joyce is among those to report that the deal for Munoz will not affect their plans to sign the 19-year-old, albeit with talks over a transfer complicated.
Leipzig value their No. 49 at upwards of £100 million and still hope to agree a new contract to delay his departure from the Red Bull Arena.
However a transfer this summer seems more likely and talkSPORT‘s Ben Jacobs reports that Liverpool are “optimistic” over beating Paris Saint-Germain to Diomande’s signature.
“They have that player buy-in, even though PSG are there as well and not to be discounted,” Jacobs explained.
“Liverpool are prepared to try and move quickly. Even though Diomande is currently busy with the Ivory Coast there is a distinct possibility that this is another deal that gets done during the World Cup.”
Liverpool’s deal for Munoz of course shows that it is possible to finalise transfers with players currently on duty at the tournament.
And though Leipzig have set a lofty price tag for Diomande, there is a sense that this could be negotiated down if the player makes it clear he intends to leave this summer.
Yan Diomande “leaning towards” Liverpool over PSG
3DDK707 Marrakesh, Marocco. 31st Dec, 2025. December 31 2025: Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast gestures during a 2025 AFCON Africa Cup of Nations game, Gabon vs Ivory Coast, at Marrakesh stadium, Marrakesh, Marocco. Ulrik Pedersen/CSM/Sipa USA (Credit Image: © Ulrik Pedersen/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
“Leipzig are effectively stalling, delaying, trying to ward off the market until they get an answer from Diomande,” Jacobs continued.
“But Liverpool are prepared to put serious money down and they are in negotiations with Leipzig, so not just on the player side, and this could move very quickly as well.
He added that “it’s leaning towards the player wanting to move to the Premier League,” and though Sky Sports previously reported interest from Man City, it appears a straight race between Liverpool and PSG as it stands.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 25, 2025.
Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh, Cologne’s Said El Mala and Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo are named as alternative targets if a deal for Diomande falls through.
Liverpool also hold an interest in Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, though the Independent‘s Miguel Delaney reports that Arsenal are preparing a bid for the Frenchman.
Munoz is set to join Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa as Liverpool’s current attacking options along with the long-term injured Hugo Ekitike.