Liverpool are locking horns with Chelsea for the signing of RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande this summer, and are reportedly willing to pay big for him.
Diomande has arguably been one of the most talked-about Reds transfer targets ahead of the summer transfer window, having stood out as one of the Bundesliga’s best young players for Leipzig.
Capable of playing on both wings, the 19-year-old is seen as a fantastic long-term option for Liverpool, and it looks as though he is among the main candidates to replace Mohamed Salah, with talks reportedly taking place over the move.
According to a Sport [via Sport Witness], the Premier League champions are willing to pay as much as £61m for Diomande this summer, with the same applying to Chelsea.
It is stated that the Blues are preparing to make an offer for the Ivory Coast international, but Liverpool will hope that these words from him in the past will aid their chances of signing him:
“I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a huge Liverpool fan. My dad dreams of seeing me play at Anfield!”
Is Yan Diomande Liverpool’s most likely summer signing?
With every new update that emerges regarding Diomande, the more it feels like it would be a surprise if he didn’t end up in a Liverpool shirt this summer.
Granted, Chelsea also look to be in a good position, but the fact that the Ivorian grew up supporting the Reds can only be a positive for them.
Diomande is an explosive talent with a massive future ahead of him, with Assan Ouedraogo making it clear how highly he rates him, saying: “He’s unbelievable. When you let him get in a one-vs.-one situation, you know he’s going to win the duel.”
If he does end up being Salah’s successor, he must be given time to adjust to life at one of the biggest clubs in the world, especially considering how young he still is.
He isn’t yet the completely polished footballer, so patience will be required with him, but he has the dribbling ability, pace and end product to be a huge success for Liverpool for a long time.