Yan Diomande might have decided against a move to Liverpool this summer, but the RB Leipzig winger had a chance meeting with an FSG figure after deciding to join PSG
12:08, 15 Jul 2026
Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast during the 2026 World Cup match between Ivory Coast and Norway at Dallas Stadium on June 30, 2026, in Dallas, United States. (Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Yan Diomande has decided on a move to PSG over Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Yan Diomande met with one of FSG’s highest-profile figures on holiday after deciding against making the move to Liverpool this summer.
The 19-year-old had been the Reds’ primary transfer target for much of the summer, with Liverpool looking for a replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right wing after the Egyptian’s exit from Anfield.
With Diomande’s stock rising at the World Cup after a superb debut season in the Bundesliga, Liverpool looked to be getting closer and closer to signing him, having made it clear to RB Leipzig it was willing to do a deal for around $115 million - an offer that was rejected.
Before the Reds could make a decision on whether to return with an improved offer, Diomande effectively ended their pursuit by choosing a move to Paris Saint-Germain instead.
The teenager now looks to be close to agreeing a five-year deal with the European champions, although Leipzig is still insistent on keeping him for another year, with the German club proposing he moves back on loan.
According to Bild, Diomande is currently on holiday before he returns to Leipzig at the end of the month, having stayed in the United States following the Ivory Coast’s elimination from the World Cup at the hands of Norway in the last-32.
Diomande has been vacationing in Miami and New York, with his agency Roc Nation setting up meet and greets with some big stars - among them, NBA legend LeBron James.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Lakers forward LeBron James looks back during a time out during the second half against the Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LeBron James holds a stake in Liverpool's owners FSG(Image: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
That meeting may catch the attention of Liverpool fans, given James’ involvement with the club’s owners. The 41-year-old bought a two percent share in the Reds as part of a promotional arrangement with FSG back in 2011.
James then exchanged his two percent holding in Liverpool for a one percent stake in the larger FSG consortium, which also includes American teams such as the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins. James has since beefed up his investment in FSG by an undisclosed sum, and the club has even launched co-branded merch with the basketball star.
Whether Diomande’s decision to snub Liverpool came up in conversation with James is not disclosed in the report, but having shown his support for the Reds on numerous occasions over the years, the NBA star might have made a late attempt to convince him to change his mind.
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Although Diomande has decided on a move to PSG, Leipzig remains adamant that it wants to keep him for another year. He is under contract until 2030, and his deal does not include a release clause, which further strengthens his current club’s position.
"Our clear intention is that Yan will play for RB Leipzig next year. And we won’t move away from that," Leipzig’s managing director Marcel Schafer said last month.
"We know exactly what we have in him. Of course, if Yan continues like this, the time will come when we allow him to take the next step - but not this year.
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“We hold all the cards. So, to make it clear once again: Diomande will remain an RB Leipzig player.”