Ivory Coast boss laughs off Liverpool and PSG talk as Diomande shines at World Cup

Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae has laughed off mounting transfer speculation surrounding Liverpool target Yan Diomande, joking that journalists told him the teenager was “about to sign with PSG” during pre-tournament preparations in France — and are now telling him the same about Liverpool.

Fae’s comments came after Ivory Coast edged Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia, with the winning goal arriving late through Manchester United’s Amad Diallo. Diomande, 19, was among the most influential players on the pitch, registering more touches than any of his team-mates and completing four dribbles across the contest.

“When we were in France, during the preparation, journalists told me he was about to sign with PSG,” Fae said. “Here, they tell me he’s about to sign with Liverpool! I don’t know, but for now, he will focus on the World Cup, and then afterwards, he can think about the rest of his career.”

Diomande has attracted serious interest from both Liverpool and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain following an impressive Bundesliga campaign with RB Leipzig. The Reds are understood to be seeking additional pace in wide positions following Mohamed Salah’s departure at the end of the season, though Leipzig remain reluctant to sell and negotiations are ongoing.

Fae was effusive in his praise for the youngster’s character as well as his ability. “He’s very talented, but beyond the talent, he’s very young and he’ll improve. He’s a kid who works hard, has a real team spirit, laughs with everyone, and he listens to the technical staff whenever he’s given advice. It’s easy to work with someone like Yan.”

The Ivory Coast coach also highlighted the specific challenge Diomande posed to Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie, describing the Leipzig defender as “a Champions League finalist with Arsenal.”

Off the pitch, Diomande met rap icon Jay-Z ahead of kick-off in Philadelphia. The New York-based artist owns Roc Nation Sports, the agency that secured Diomande’s representation earlier this year after he joined their stable in February. His previous representatives, Maxidel Management, have since launched legal action claiming he remains contracted to them.

For Fae, the result itself was the priority after a nervy debut World Cup outing for his squad. “It’s the first World Cup for all 26 players, a first outing for them, so it was difficult, there was some doubt, there was some fear,” he said. “In the second half, we took more risks, were more concentrated, made fewer individual mistakes.”