Yan Diomande has been one of the wingers most heavily linked with Liverpool, but also with bitter rivals Man United.
The talented teenager has taken his game to a new level this season, putting Europe’s biggest clubs on notice. Liverpool have a chance to sign Diomande, but they will need to fend off United’s interest.
The feeling at the club is that the Reds are in the driver’s seat, and there are a couple of reasons for that. Firstly, Liverpool are in a better position financially to make this deal happen. But they have another edge in negotiations with RB Leipzig.
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Liverpool confident about Yan Diomande because of Red Bull relationship
Liverpool and United are the biggest clubs in England, and playing for either is a dream harboured by most professional footballers with their sights set on the Premier League.
But Liverpool are better positioned to sign Diomande at the £87 million fee being mooted. INEOS aren’t so financially flexible.
That’s not why the Reds feel so confident, though. Rather it’s the pre-existing relationship they have with the 19-year-old’s current club.
As The Times report, Liverpool’s ‘post-Salah rebuild’ starts with Diomande, who they think is more likely to come to Anfield given their ‘strong relationship with the Red Bull group’.
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That stems from past business involving Dominik Szoboszlai, Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate.
Not only that, but also that the Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull is none other than Jurgen Klopp. All this to say, Liverpool feel — rightly — that they are in the strongest position to get this deal done.
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Yan Diomande in action during RB Leipzig's Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen at the Red Bull Arena (Credit: Getty Images/Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto).
Said El Mala celebrates after scoring for FC Koln during their Bundesliga match against St Pauli (Credit: Getty Images/Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto/Ralf Ibing – firo/Sportphoto
Big step up for Yan Diomande
Despite his impressive displays this season, Diomande is inexperienced at the top level.
Filling the shoes of Salah would be a daunting task for any player, but especially one yet to reach his 20th birthday.
It’s a risk to go so young, but the upside is incredible. If this is the route FSG want to go down, though, it would be wise to add another more experienced wide man, someone like Jarrod Bowen, so as to allow Diomande time to adjust to a new league and playing for a footballing giant.
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