RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has emerged as a leading target for Liverpool in their bid to strengthen the wide attacking positions this summer.
Diomande is among Europe’s most coveted talents and the Anfield side are serious contenders for his signature, although they are sure to face stiff competition if the 19-year-old exits Leipzig.
The Bundesliga team want to keep Diomande for another season and their case is enhanced by reaching the 2026-27 Champions League.
But if suitable proposals arrive — Leipzig would aim to recoup in excess of €100million (£87.23m; $116.27m) — a transfer could happen.
Liverpool have manoeuvred into a strong position with the player and if a deal looks plausible on that front, talks between the clubs can be expected to follow.
Much will depend on how a troubled campaign ends and whether Arne Slot’s men themselves manage to seal Champions League qualification.
They are also not alone in pursuing Diomande. Paris Saint-Germain are also contenders but they would require a departure and have other options under consideration, too.
The Athletic recently reported that Diomande had been heavily scouted by Liverpool, who need to replace the outgoing Mohamed Salah.
Diomande has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Leipzig, providing 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.
The Ivory Coast forward has been named in Emerse Fae’s World Cup squad, having scored three goals in nine appearances for his country, and is one of the most exciting prospects at this summer’s tournament.
He joined Leipzig from Leganes in July 2025 and is contracted until June 2030.
Asked about speculation over his future during an interview with reporters earlier this month, Diomande said: “Imagine people say you go to Chelsea or Real Madrid (as examples of big clubs) to do this job… you’re going to be happy and motivated to do more.
“I don’t think about it too much because my focus is on the pitch, my job is playing football, that takes care of everything but it gives me a lot of motivation to see people talking about me.”
Liverpool invested significantly 12 months ago, spending around £450m — inclusive of performance related add-ons — and generating £200m from sales in the same market.
They will also pay £55m ($75m) plus £5m in potential bonuses for defender Jeremy Jacquet after he officially arrives from Rennes on July 1.
A terrifying opponent for defenders
Analysis by The Athletic’s Germany football correspondent Seb Stafford Bloor
Diomande is two-footed. He can beat a defender on the left or the right, and with technique or raw thrust. He can shoot (and score) with placement or power and can plot his way to goal or otherwise force his way there.
In time, he will surely become one of those players who poses a threat any time he touches the ball. What must be terrifying for any defender facing him, particularly one-on-one, is just how quickly Diomande can change speed.
He was measured this season as the fifth-quickest player in the Bundesliga — above Karim Adeyemi, Said El Mala and Bazoumana Toure — but he has the kind of acceleration that allows him to jump up through the gears, even from a standing start, making it extremely difficult to subdue him when he has the ball.
So, a flash of lightning. As it turns out, those members of staff at Leipzig were conservative in their estimates. Rather than becoming a €100m player within two years, Diomande might well have already reached that level.
Wide forwards key to Liverpool summer business
Analysis by The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent Andy Jones
Recruiting at least one wide forward this summer is crucial for Liverpool because they have lacked pace and dynamism in those areas too often this season.
Slot went into this campaign with only two senior wide forwards he trusted to start games in Cody Gakpo and Salah. It highlighted a lack of depth in those positions and Salah’s departure this summer only heightens the need to address it.
Both Salah and Gakpo have struggled for form, and have consistently lost their battle up against opposition full-backs. That has impacted the threat Liverpool have been able to carry and contributed to the slow, predictable football they have played.
Salah and Gakpo have not been in top form in 2025-26 (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha, 17, has been more involved in recent months, and has impressed with his quick feet and technical quality. While he is still developing, it has offered insight into what having players who are quick and unpredictable can do to unsettle opposition defenders, especially in one-v-one duels.
Diomande has shown the ability to do all of that and Liverpool need more of that profile of player.
Liverpool have a number of areas to address this summer, but if they fail to improve their wide forward options then they are unlikely to return to the attacking force they were in Slot’s first season.
Slot has always valued wingers during his managerial career – Salah and Gakpo were Liverpool’s two top scorers last season – and he has repeatedly spoken about wingers being key to breaking down low blocks, which has been one of Liverpool’s flaws this season.
