Leipzig's Ivorian forward #49 Yan Diomande celebrates the team's first goal after Stuttgart's German defender #24 Jeff Chabot scored an own goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 1, 2025. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP)placeholder image
Leipzig's Ivorian forward #49 Yan Diomande celebrates the team's first goal after Stuttgart's German defender #24 Jeff Chabot scored an own goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart in Leipzig, eastern Germany on November 1, 2025. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP) | AFP via Getty Images
Yan Diomande is a potential replacement for Mo Salah when he leaves Liverpool at the end of the season.
Red Bull Leipzig are reportedly ready to offer Yan Diomande an improved contract to fend off any potential suitors, including Liverpool.
Diomande has enjoyed a magnificent maiden campaign at Leipzig since joining from CD Leganes. The 19-year-old has plundered 11 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances so far.
Certainly, Diomande’s performances have surpassed expectations given his age and inexperience. Only two years ago, the winger was playing high-school soccer in the USA.
With Mo Salah set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, a successor is required. Diomande is someone on the Reds’ radar as he fits the club’s recruitment model. However, a price tag of £85 million has been suggested, while Premier League rivals Manchester United are said to be keen.
But according to Sky Sports Germany, Leipzig want to keep Diomande for another year before an inevitable departure to a ‘top European club’. It is suggested that the Saxony outfit plans to offer a performance-based salary increase, which would see Diomande handed a ‘significant financial boost in recognition of his outstanding development’. In addition, no release clause would be included.
Leipzig sell players every summer transfer window, with Liverpool signing Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita from Die Roten Bullen in the past. If Leipzig fail to qualify for the Champions League for successive seasons then player exits are again likely.
But Sky Sports Germany claims that Diomande is not earmarked to be offloaded. Instead, defender Castello Lukeba is someone Leipzig are open to selling if a suitable offer arrives. Meanwhile, they will bank around £35 million for Lois Openda as his loan at Juventus will become permanent at the end of the campaign, while Antonio Nusa could be allowed to depart for around £43 million.
As well as Diomande, Liverpool are admirers of Michael Olise but it is unlikely that Bayern Munich will agree to a sale.
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