Liverpool have suffered a significant setback in their pursuit of one of this summer’s most coveted young wingers, with Yan Diomande reportedly deciding that Paris Saint-Germain would be his preferred destination should he leave RB Leipzig this summer.
The development represents a painful twist for Andoni Iraola’s side, who had invested considerable time and energy in their pursuit of the 19 year old Ivory Coast international.
Liverpool had already seen an opening bid of £86.3 million, structured as £69 million up front plus £17.3 million in add ons, rejected by Leipzig.
Now, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the decision may effectively have been taken out of their hands entirely.
Ornstein reports that Diomande has indicated his preference is to move to France, specifically to PSG, if he departs the Bundesliga this summer.
That puts Liverpool in the uncomfortable position of having publicly pursued a player who has privately pointed elsewhere, despite earlier reports suggesting the winger was keen on a move to Anfield.
The financial scale of the deal further complicates Liverpool’s position.
Diomande’s price tag is expected to exceed 100 million euros, a figure that reflects both his outstanding club form and his growing reputation on the international stage.
At RB Leipzig last season, the former Vasco da Gama academy product registered 12 goals and 9 assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances, earning the league’s Rookie of the Season award in the process.
He also completed 118 successful dribbles, the most of any player in the Bundesliga, and created 56 chances across the campaign, ranking him among the top ten creators in the division.
His World Cup performances with Ivory Coast have only added fuel to the fire.
Diomande was outstanding in the Elephants’ opening Group E match against Ecuador, completing four dribbles and creating five chances, the most of any player on the pitch, while dribbling past Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie four times in one evening.
Ivory Coast went on to lose to Germany 2-1 in a result that further raised his profile across Europe.
For PSG, now Champions League winners, Diomande represents exactly the type of explosive, direct wide player Luis Enrique’s system demands.
The lure of Paris, Champions League football, and a club operating at the very peak of European football appears to have proven decisive in the 19 year old’s thinking.
Liverpool now face an urgent need to identify and secure an alternative.
Said El Mala of FC Koln and other wide options have been mentioned as backup targets, with the Reds also having already completed the signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £35 million as part of their attacking rebuild under Iraola.
The Diomande pursuit, for now, appears to be over.
🚨 EXCL: Yan Diomande chooses Paris Saint-Germain as next destination if he departs RB Leipzig this summer. 19yo said to believe in #PSG project led by Al-Khelaifi / Campos / Enrique + wants chance to lift trophies regularly & win Balon D’Or @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/HYUUXtCSS8
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 28, 2026