Liverpool has suffered a huge blow in its pursuit of Yan Diomande, but the 19-year-old's preference for PSG could end up opening another transfer door for the Reds
22:48, 28 Jun 2026
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 20: Yan Diomande #11 of Cote d'Ivorie celebrates the goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Yan Diomande's choice to join PSG could open another door for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Yan Diomande’s decision to choose Paris Saint-Germain over Liverpool will come as a major blow to the Reds, but it could end up opening another transfer door for them.
Diomande has been Liverpool’s primary target throughout the summer, with the club having already made it clear to RB Leipzig it would be willing to do a deal for around $115 million (€100M). Although that wasn’t enough, with the Bundesliga club holding out for $148 million (€130M), the Reds were thought to be weighing up a second improved offer.
They may now find themselves having to admit defeat now though, with Diomande having chosen PSG as his destination should he be on the move this summer.
According to The Athletic, the 19-year-old believes in the project that is being led by PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi and football advisor Luis Campos, and he wants to play for Luis Enrique in the French capital.
What’s more, the winger sees a move to Paris as his best opportunity to regularly compete for trophies and win the Ballon d’Or.
PSG is yet to launch a bid for Diomande, although that could change soon, with previous reports suggesting that the European champions were waiting for the green light from the winger before making their move.
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Liverpool is not necessarily out of the running yet, but there’s no doubt this comes as a major blow to its hopes of securing its first-choice as Mohamed Salah’s replacement. Where one door closes though, another may open.
Should PSG sign Diomande, that would put Bradley Barcola’s future into further doubt. The French international, who is currently away at the World Cup, has fallen behind both Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue on the wings, and Diomande’s arrival could potentially see him become fourth-choice.
The 23-year-old has been linked with Liverpool as a potential alternative to Diomande, with Arsenal having also been touted as a possible destination.
Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola could move closer to a PSG exit if Diomande joins the European champions(Image: ANP via Getty Images)
Liverpool is thought to admire Barcola, with Fabrizio Romano having recently claimed that the club has remained in regular contact with him through its pursuit of Diomande. It has also been suggested that Barcola is open to a move away, a stance which may be exacerbated if Diomande moves to Paris.
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However, PSG has not shown any desire to move Barcola on yet, with recent reports suggesting that the French champions still want to keep him. Whether that stance will change now remains to be determined.
Liverpool.com says: If, as it seems it may be the case, Diomande is off the table, then Barcola definitely feels like the next best option this summer.
He’s already shown his quality with PSG, and with France at this year’s World Cup, and if Diomande does end up heading to Paris, surely Barcola might feel compelled to push for a move. We’ll wait and see how this pans out.