RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent months
Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig ) looks on during Matchday 27 1.Bundesliga: RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim at Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany on March 20 2026
Yan Diomande is now on Liverpool's transfer radar(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto)
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Liverpool may have to break the bank to sign transfer target Yan Diomande as the RB Leipzig star does not have a release clause. The forward has been identified as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is leaving at the end of the campaign.
Arne Slot and club transfer chiefs are now on the search for a replacement, with Diomande coming on their radar. However, it's understood this will be costly, as he is contracted at the club until 2030 and does not have a release clause.
This means the Bundesliga side have the ability to command whatever transfer fee they like. However, in a separate negotiation with the club, Leipzig may be willing to cash in on young central defender Castello Lukeba, who is also on the Reds' radar.
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The defender has been impressive for Leipzig ever since he arrived from Olympique Lyon three seasons ago. It's reported he has a release clause of around £70m, but a £61m bid may be enough to convince the club to sell him, according to Sky Sports Germany.
Liverpool signed Jeremy Jacquet in January for £60m and loaned him back to Rennes, but the Frenchman picked up a shoulder injury which required surgery. Should his long injury extend into the start of next season, Slot would likely want an option in the shape of Lukeba to call upon.
While Leipzig are reportedly willing to sell Lukeba, they are more reluctant to part with Diomande. He boasts 10 goals and seven assists in 26 Bundesliga appearances this season.
It's also claimed that Leipzig plan to commit Diomande to a new contract which will increase his pay greatly. He was initially signed to a rookie contract, but his excellent displays are set to result in him getting a substantial pay increase.
Sky Sports Germany has also claimed the club would prefer to sell him in the summer of 2027, similarly to when they held onto Benjamin Sesko for another season before selling him to Manchester United.
Salah has seven Premier League matches left as a Premier League player as well as any future games in the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot (L) substitutes in Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah (R) in the second half during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 15, 2026
The club will soon be looking for a transfer replacement for Mo Salah(Image: AFP or licensors)
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The club are still in with a chance of winning the latter two. Slot's side travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on Saturday.
This is then quickly followed by the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain on the following Wednesday, before the Reds play host to Fulham in the Premier League three days later.