Liverpool’s pursuit of RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande appears to be escalating, with Arne Slot’s side closer than ever to moving for their potential Mohamed Salah replacement.
BILD report that the Reds, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, have met with the 19-year-old’s agents ahead of a summer transfer.
Liverpool and others watching
The German newspaper reports that after a ‘strong debut season’ in which Yan Diomande has managed 12 goals and seven assists so far, the Ivorian has ‘caught the eye’ of the top clubs.
RB Leipzig want to keep him for at least another year, barring an ‘exorbitant offer’ arriving. However, fewer and fewer people at the club believe that will happen as Diomande is ‘simply too good’.
They’ve set a €100m asking price on the 19-year-old. But that is not putting off his agents or his suitors. The former, Roc Nation, are already actively working on a transfer.
According to BILD, meetings have taken place with Liverpool and PSG, both of whom are ‘particularly interested’. Leipzig are yet to receive a concrete offer. Manchester United, meanwhile, have cooled their interest.
A report earlier this month stated that Liverpool had already expressed formal interest in the winger. Now they’ve held talks with his agents.
Sign now, play later
One possible option is that a club signs Yan Diomande this summer for a ‘slightly lower price’ but gets him next season. The fee would still have to be at least €100m, though.
That would give Leipzig another year with their star man, preferably in the Champions League. Talks over an extension to Diomande’s deal are not currently on the table. Leipzig see a new deal as only benefitting his agent and nobody else.
It seems the Bundesliga side are aware of Roc Nation’s efforts to make a transfer happen. And, for now, don’t see the point in a new deal or trying to get it signed.
Of course, the situation could change int eh coming weeks and months. But after talks with Liverpool and PSG, the trend appears to be towards a summer transfer.