Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast celebrates
Yan Diomande's talent was clear to see long before his rise to prominence(Image: Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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Yan Diomande has already demonstrated to Liverpool the instant impact he can make after putting everyone at Leganes on notice in his first training session. The RB Leipzig star has been earmarked as a key target for the Reds this summer.
Despite Andoni Iraola's side communicating their willingness to bid up to £86million (€99m), the Bundesliga side remain steadfast in their desire to keep the 19-year-old and will reportedly only sanction his sale for a fee of around £112m (€120m).
It's been a speedy rise to prominence for the teenager, who is currently starring for the Ivory Coast in the World Cup 2026. Diomande's European journey only began last January when he joined Leganes, but he left six months later after Leipzig triggered his €20m (£17m) release clause.
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His short tenure in Spain may have come as a surprise to many, but not to the club's general manager Martin Ortega. Speaking exclusively to the ECHO, the executive opened up about Diomande's obvious potential upon his signing.
He said: "From the very first moment it was clear that he had extraordinary qualities. It's true that no one expected such a huge breakthrough in such a short time, but from the start it was clear that he was special, very special.
LEGANES, SPAIN - MAY 24: Yan Diomande of CD Leganes celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the LaLiga match between CD Leganes and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on May 24, 2025 in Leganes, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images)
Diomande spent less than a year at Leganes(Image: 2025 Aitor Alcalde Colomer)
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"We all saw it from his very first training session with the first team, when he amazed everyone. Without going into too much detail, he scored a spectacular goal that very few can pull off."
Discussing the youngster's swift exit, Ortega admitted his departure to a bigger club was a possibility Leganes had already come to terms with. He explained: "We weren't surprised.
"The possibility of a big team coming in last summer and paying his release clause was certainly within the realm of possibility, and I'd even say it was the most likely scenario."
Andoni Iraola on the bench before the Premier League game between Bournemouth and Man City.
Andoni Iraola is targeting a refresh of Liverpool's attacking options this summer(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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Diomande enjoyed a superb debut season with Leipzig, scoring 13 goals and providing 10 assists in 36 games across all competitions.
According to Ortega, the German side faced no competition from English clubs when acquiring the Ivorian last year. He said: "There were several big European clubs interested in him, but none were from the Premier League."
Liverpool face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for Diomande's signature but it remains to be seen whether he takes the next step in his career or decides to continue with Leipzig for another year.