Liverpool is targeting a transfer move for Yan Diomande and even though he won't come cheap, Emile Heskey is a big fan of the 19-year-old who is "exactly what we need"
16:46, 23 Jun 2026
Colombia forward Luis Diaz.
Colombia forward Luis Diaz.(Image: Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey says Yan Diomande could be the ideal replacement for Luis Diaz at Anfield after the Colombian was sold to Bayern Munich a year ago.
Diaz was missed in the season just gone, though Liverpool got a good deal for a player who wanted a new challenge and had two years left on his contract, while being in his late 20s. Not signing a replacement proved costly, but the Reds have already begun to inject fresh energy out wide with the capture of Victor Munoz last week.
In addition to that Munoz deal, which was worth around $46 million (£35 million), Liverpool is also keen on signing Diomande from RB Leipzig, and has expressed a willingness to spend €100 million ($115 million/£85 million) on his transfer.
"Diomande is a very, very attractive player," Heskey told Liverpool.com this week. "We've been missing that. We were so blessed on the wings — we had Mo Salah and Sadio Mane for many years.
"Then Mane left, and Diaz came, and Diaz not only gave you what he gave you on the wing, but he also went up front as well and gave you something different.
"Since Diaz, we haven't really had that winger who can do that, and Diomande looks like he could be it. And let's not just look at what he does going forward — he tracks back and works hard.
Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) looks on 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 remains Liverpool's top target this summer(Image: Getty Images)
"He's only 19, a young lad, so there'll be a lot of pressure on him. I've watched him in the World Cup and at times balls are going under his foot, touches look a little bit clumsy.
"I don't know if that's nerves, but he'll get sharper and better. He's super quick and direct, which is exactly what we need and what we've been missing."
As well as strengthening on the wings, which should see Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz improve as a result of having more pace and quality around them, Heskey also believes Liverpool has some other priorities.
"We've got forwards," he continued, speaking on behalf of OLBG. "We need center-backs, and we probably need a midfielder.
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"Ibrahima Konate going was a killer, to be honest with you, but he's gone now, so you can't look back. Off the top of my head, no one jumps out right now (who is playing at the World Cup).
"(Liverpool has to be) more aggressive next season. They looked a little bit labored under Slot, to be honest. Salah came out and said it at times — that rock and roll football, we were missing it.
"The funny thing is we saw it in some games and it just wasn't enough. It was only a few games, which was weird, and most of them were actually in Europe. So we want to see more of that, and I think Andoni Iraola could bring it."