The landscape around Yan Diomande’s future appears to have changed, which could reopen the door to a Liverpool move despite his preference to join PSG.
Speculation around Diomande heading to Anfield died at the end of June, with The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reporting that he made clear he wants PSG instead.
But over a fortnight on and with Ivory Coast exiting the World Cup around the same time as those reports, there has been little progress when it comes to a switch to Paris.
Now, BILD claim that RB Leipzig no longer intend to sell Diomande this summer, and only a delayed transfer for 2027 would be accepted.
Journalist Yvonne Gabriel writes: “A sale for more than €100 million is still possible – but only with one option: a loan back to Leipzig.”
Leipzig's Naby Deco Keita celebrates the 4:0 goal during the Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and Darmstadt 98 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, 1 April 2017. (EMBARGO CONDITIONS - ATTENTION: Due to the accreditation guidlines, the DFL only permits the publication and utilisation of up to 15 pictures per match on the internet and in online media during the match.) Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
Described as a “win-win situation” for all parties, the proposed arrangement is compared to that which saw Liverpool agree to sign Naby Keita from Leipzig in 2017 but allow him to stay at the Red Bull Arena until the following summer.
This decision comes with SPORT BILD‘s Robert Schreier claiming that no interested club is so far willing to meet Leipzig’s price tag.
Leipzig are seeking a deal in the region of €120 million (£101.9m), and despite Diomande signalling an openness to join Liverpool, PSG, Man United and Man City among others, “no club is prepared to put more than €100 million on the table.”
Liverpool are the only club to have submitted a formal bid as it stands, with their offer structured with an initial €80 million fee and a further €20 million in add-ons.
That proposal was dismissed and Liverpool were reported to be putting together an improved bid, but there has been no movement – at least in public – since then.
Of course, there is still a long way to go before the transfer deadline on September 1, but Leipzig are currently expected to push ahead with a new contract offer for their No. 49.
This development could however reopen the door for Liverpool, if they were willing to agree a significant deal but allow Diomande to remain at Leipzig for another season.
Could Liverpool agree delayed Yan Diomande transfer?
Yan Diomande goal celebration (Photo by Tomasz Karczewski/Arena Akcji/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
It would be far from ideal, particularly given the need to add another starting winger to Andoni Iraola‘s squad, but it could allow for further long-term planning.
Liverpool could in theory agree a delayed move for Diomande while signing another forward for the immediate term – with Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh a known target – knowing Cody Gakpo could leave the club in the future.
However, there is also cause to question whether it is worth pushing ahead with clearly tricky negotiations not only with Leipzig, but also Diomande’s new agency, Roc Nation.