Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been speaking about Yan Diomande amid the Reds' transfer interest in the RB Leipzig teenager, with a mention for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane
17:08, 22 Jun 2026
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher says Yan Diomande has some similar traits to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane — which is exactly what Andoni Iraola needs ahead of the new season.
The Reds have made clear to RB Leipzig that they would be willing to offer a package worth around €100 million ($115 million/£85 million) for Diomande this summer. But the German side would rather keep the player for another 12 months having only brought him in from Leganes a year ago.
Diomande has already impressed at the World Cup, though, and PSG is also interested. A big enough offer, history would suggest, would see the Red Bull outfit cash in.
"I'm not someone who is watching RB Leipzig every week," Carragher told Sky Sports. "But he's had a big impact in the German league, there is no doubt about that.
"You can see in his numbers and his stats, and I thought he was fantastic in the first game of the World Cup. Less so in the second game, but still, he was a real danger — he set up the goal for his side there.
"I think what you are buying is potential. It is not what he is right now — he is a 19-year-old kid. He is a young man. But when you look at him, physically, he looks like he has all of those attributes.
Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) gestures during Group E FIFA World Cup 2026, Germany v Cote D'Ivoire, Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada on June 20 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Yan Diomande is Liverpool's primary target this summer(Image: Getty Images)
"You think of the success that Liverpool have had in the past with powerful, quick wide men — Salah, Mane — he certainly looks like he has those types of traits."
Under Arne Slot, there were a variety of issues. One, certainly, though, was the lack of speed and depth in attack. Victor Munoz arrived last week but more deals are required to help out the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
"That is a big thing that Liverpool lacked last season — pace in those wide areas," Carragher continued.
"They've already got a signing in from Spain, from Osausuna, Victor Munoz, and maybe they want a bit of pace on the other side as well.
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"It is pretty obvious where Liverpool were lacking last season, and that looks like where they are going in the market.
"Is (Diomande) worth it? Time will tell. As I said, Liverpool spent big last summer and a year on, right now, we would probably say those players don't look worth it. They've still got time, but it's not my money."
Liverpool.com says: Diomande would be a perfect addition, even though he is costly. The teenager looks to be a star in the making and there are very few other options out there on the market.