thisisanfield.com

Why Yan Diomande turned down Liverpool transfer after Andoni Iraola talks

3DR18JJ Leipzig, Poland. 15th Feb, 2026. Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig seen during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena. Final score RB Leipzig 2 : 2 VfL Wolfsburg. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News

Liverpool’s pursuit of Yan Diomande went as far as the winger holding talks with Andoni Iraola, only to then turn down a move and eventually join Real Madrid.

Diomande completed a €140 million (£120.1m) move to Real Madrid on Thursday – a transfer few saw coming heading into the summer window.

In fact, as he arrived at the World Cup, the Ivorian was considered most likely to join Liverpool, with enough encouragement for the Reds to submit an official bid worth €100 million (£85.7m).

Though RB Leipzig turned that offer down the expectation was that an improved bid would be made, with Diomande in contact with Iraola over his plans.

Yan Diomande of Cote d'Ivoire during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Ivory Coast at Philadelphia Stadium on June 14th, 2026. (Photo by Riquelve Nata/Sports Press Photo)

But The Athletic reports that despite being “attracted to joining Liverpool,” the 19-year-old changed his mind as he felt they “would be in transition over the coming season.”

He instead turned his focus to Paris Saint-Germain, but with a reluctance to meet Leipzig’s asking price and the winger’s salary demands, PSG allowed Real Madrid to enter the conversation.

Liverpool are now prioritising a move for PSG’s Bradley Barcola along with his team-mate Ibrahim Mbaye, with it likely that both can be acquired for a combined fee similar to that which ensured Diomande’s switch to Madrid.

CHICAGO, USA - Friday, July 31, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during an open training session at the Endeavor Health Performance Center ahead of their final pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Diomande’s concern over a season of transition at Anfield is certainly reasonable, not least as he would have been brought in as Mo Salah‘s successor.

The departure of Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, along with the sacking of Arne Slot and the appointment of Iraola along with a new backroom staff, has brought significant change on and off the pitch.

While the hope is that Iraola will bring a swift turnaround in fortunes after a dismal second season under Slot, it is certainly not guaranteed.

Why missing out on Yan Diomande could be a blessing in disguise

Yan Diomande goal celebration (Photo by Tomasz Karczewski/Arena Akcji/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News

Clearly, Diomande was not prepared to – to use a phrase coined by Jurgen Klopp – push the train and would sooner jump on the running train at Madrid.

Perhaps that is a blessing in disguise for Liverpool, particularly given the public dispute over Diomande’s representation between Maxidel and Roc Nation.

Liverpool need players who view Anfield as the ideal destination, rather than a stepping stone to the Bernabeu or the Nou Camp.

Diomande was seemingly not one of those, and with the finances involved in a deal for a player with only 60 senior games under his belt with Leganes, Leipzig and the Ivory Coast, that would be too big a risk to take.

Football – Football League Cup – Semi-Final 1st Leg – Tottenham Hotspur FC v Liverpool FC

Football – UEFA Champions League – Quarter-Final – 2nd Leg – Liverpool FC v Paris Saint-Germain FC – MD-1

Collage 3 diagonal (15)

Read full news in source page