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RB Leipzig have rebuffed Liverpool’s first move for Yan Diomande and are now pushing a new condition that would keep the Ivorian at the Red Bull Arena for at least one more season.
Liverpool’s interest in Diomande has been building throughout 2026.
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The Reds tabled a huge first offer worth around €100m, structured as roughly €90m guaranteed plus a further €10m in achievable add‑ons to tempt RB Leipzig into doing business.
However, the Bundesliga club declined. Leipzig are making it clear they expect a package nearer €120m before they’ll even consider approving a sale.
At the same time, Paris Saint‑Germain have emerged as Diomande’s preferred destination should he leave, with The Athletic and Bild both reporting that the winger is already leaning toward a move to Paris to play under Luis Enrique. PSG, however, have not yet launched a formal bid.
Leipzig’s hierarchy has repeatedly stressed that Diomande is not available for a straightforward sale this summer, pointing to his long‑term contract (until 2030) with no release clause as the basis of their negotiating power. Club sporting director Marcel Schäfer has gone on record insisting that “Yan Diomande will play for RB Leipzig next season.”
Now German outlet BILD has revealed Leipzig aim to insist that Diomande is loaned back for the 2026/27 season if a sale is agreed.
“Diomande must definitely stay this season. A sale beyond 100 million euros is still possible – but only with one option: a return loan to Leipzig,” Yvonne Gabriel reports.
“To make sure that Diomande will definitely still play in Leipzig this season. That’s how it once went in the case of Naby Keïta (31), who was sold to Liverpool for 60 million in 2017 – but only moved the following year.”
“A win-win situation with planning security for all sides.”
Whether Liverpool are yet able to convince Diomande to come to Anfield remains to be seen, but this is hardly positive news if an unlikely agreement is struck.