Liverpool are hoping to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande this summer, with the Reds reportedly set to improve on their initial bid, which was rejected.
The Reds submitted a bid worth €90m (£78m) fixed plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons, but RB Leipzig wasted no time in rejecting the offer, with some claims suggesting they are holding out for a €120m (£104m) bid.
While the Bundesliga outfit is playing hardball, as is their right, Diomande is reportedly keen to make the move to Anfield this summer, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
He said on YouTube: “The player is really tempted by the opportunity to leave now after the World Cup – find a new club and go immediately.
“It’s a 50-50 situation. Liverpool had a bid rejected but are expected to return, Liverpool really want Diomande, Liverpool consider Diomande a top target, so they are expected to return to the table and try to find a solution with Leipzig.”
David Ornstein says Liverpool are “firmly in the driving seat” to sign Diomande despite rejected bid
Speaking to independent Liverpool outlet Anfield Index, reputable journalist David Ornstein reports that the Reds are firmly in the driving seat to sign Diomande.
? @David_Ornstein: "It is clear Diomande has been their [Liverpool] top target for some time. They made contact with Leipzig and they were in a strong position in terms of the player side of things."
"They expressed their willingness to pay a package approaching £86m, which I… pic.twitter.com/JWGSfGKuKG
— AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) June 19, 2026
He said: “It is clear Diomande has been their [Liverpool] top target for some time. They made contact with Leipzig and they were in a strong position in terms of the player side of things.”
“They expressed their willingness to pay a package approaching £86m, which I don’t think was their first proposal, it was lower and they improved it.”
“They have done a lot of work on the player side and they are firmly in the driving seat if he is going to leave RB Leipzig. But they are tough negotiators, so we can’t say for certain yet.”
Diomande is expensive but is worth the mega-money
It might seem unreasonable to suggest that spending north of £100m on a teenager is a good deal, but that’s how much I believe in Diomande.
At 19, he’s incredibly confident and is already posting impressive numbers, scoring 13 and assisting 10 goals for RB Leipzig.
What makes him worth the money is that there aren’t any other good options out there. Obviously the dream would be to sign Michael Olise, but there is no way anyone will convince Bayern Munich to sell him this summer.