Former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole has urged RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande to seal a move to Anfield instead of Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The 19-year-old has arguably been the attacking player linked with the Reds most often in recent months, potentially being seen as the perfect successor to Mohamed Salah.
Some reports have suggested that Diomande is going to choose reigning European champions PSG instead, however, seeing them as the more enticing proposition.
But speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Cole has told the £86m-rated Ivory Coast international to opt for Liverpool over the French giants this summer, saying it is a move that would be more rewarding for him:
“There are a lot of top-level wingers in world football right now, but Diomande is as good as I’ve seen; he’s so explosive. My advice to him as a young player is: don’t bother going to PSG. Go to Liverpool because if they want you and there’s a hole in the team to play, then they really need you.
“PSG don’t need anybody, but maybe his heart is set on Paris. If that’s the case and he backs himself, I’ve got no problem with that; but if Liverpool still want him, go out and convince him because I think that would be the move that suits him best.”
Liverpool or PSG: Who will Yan Diomande choose?
It goes without saying that Liverpool signing Diomande would feel huge this summer, with Ian Wright showing his admiration for him during the World Cup: “He’s lived up to the hype. His pressing is brilliant; his taking on is brilliant; his pace is scary.”
The teenage winger has stunning pace and quick feet, but unlike lots of attacking players his age, he also has end product, bagging 23 goal contributions in 36 appearances for Leipzig (13 goals and 10 assists).
As things stand, PSG do feel like the favourites to complete the signing of Diomande, but the hope is that there is fresh twist in the saga as the summer goes on.
Here’s hoping he listens to Cole’s advice and become one of the first signings of the Andoni Iraola era.