Yan Diomande, the teenage winger Liverpool bid £87 million for last week and was the Reds’ No. 1 target this summer, is now reported to have decided on a move to PSG this summer, instead of Anfield.
The 19-year-old was viewed as the primary target this summer following the exit of Mo Salah, with Liverpool having already seen a bid rejected by Leipzig.
Their proposal of €100 million (£86.6m) was rebuffed by the German side last week and the club were expected to return with an improved bid.
But despite Liverpool having made a move to get the winger to Anfield, the Athletic‘s David Ornstein reports the teenager has chosen PSG as his next destination.
3DR18JJ Leipzig, Poland. 15th Feb, 2026. Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig seen during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena. Final score RB Leipzig 2 : 2 VfL Wolfsburg. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
It is stated that Diomande “believes in the project” at the Parisian club and “wants to play for head coach Luis Enrique.”
Moreover, Ornstein adds that he sees a move to PSG as “giving him the best opportunity to consistently compete for trophies and potentially become a future Ballon d’Or winner.”
PSG have readily been namechecked as a possible destination for Diomande throughout Liverpool’s reported interest, though they were waiting in the wings for the player to decide his next step.
Leipzig have been holding out for a fee closer to €130 million (£112m) to sanction a sale this summer, while also holding out hope that he will stay and sign a new contract.
It remains to be seen if the French side are willing to pay the fee Leipzig demand.
Liverpool’s alternative transfer options to Yan Diomande
Diomande’s decision represents an untimely blow for Liverpool, with the 19-year-old one of the most sought-after young talents and best available wingers on the market.
Ornstein reported only 10 days ago that Liverpool were “firmly in the driving seat” and had offered better personal terms to the player, but their bid to sign the player has been thwarted by his preference to go elsewhere – a familiar tale for the club.
Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh, Cologne’s Said El Mala and Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo have previously been named as alternative targets to Diomande.
Liverpool, of course, already signed Spanish winger Victor Munoz for £34.5 million, but his arrival was planned to be in addition to Diomande.
PSG winger Bradley Barcola has also been linked with Liverpool, with interest dating back to last summer, and Diomande’s potential move to the French side could now open up that move.