Liverpool have emerged as the frontrunners to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande for a fee expected to exceed €100 million (£87 million), according to reports from The Athletic. The 19-year-old Ivorian international is viewed as the primary successor to Mohamed Salah, whose departure from Anfield on a free transfer has now been confirmed. Despite recent interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool are understood to be in a strong position to secure a deal that would represent a record sale for the Bundesliga club, surpassing the £77 million Manchester City paid for Josko Gvardiol in 2023.
Strategic Succession and Tactical Fit
The pursuit of Diomande aligns with Liverpool’s established recruitment strategy of targeting high-output attackers developed within the Red Bull ecosystem, following the previous acquisitions of Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai. Diomande’s debut 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign produced 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances, but it is his physical profile that has most attracted scouts at Anfield. Clocking in as the fifth-fastest player in the German top flight, his durability is equally significant; Diomande featured in 81% of Leipzig's total minutes last season. This reliability is a priority for Liverpool after a campaign where injuries to forwards like Alexander Isak disrupted tactical consistency.
Leipzig’s Valuation and Contract Stance
Securing Diomande will require Liverpool to shatter their own transfer record, as Leipzig remain protected by a contract that runs until June 2030. Having only joined from CD Leganés for €20 million in July 2025, the winger’s value has quintupled in less than 12 months. Speaking on the club’s stance, Red Bull Chairman Oliver Mintzlaff stated that the player would remain for another season even if offers of €90 million were received. However, as first reported by L'Equipe and corroborated by the Mirror, an offer exceeding the €100 million mark is expected to test that resolve. Diomande himself has remained open to a move, telling reporters that being linked to elite clubs provides the motivation to perform at a higher level.
Negotiations are expected to intensify as Liverpool look to finalise their attacking options before the start of pre-season training.