Leganes chief reveals Diomande 'amazed everyone' in first training as Liverpool chase £112m deal

Yan Diomande left an immediate impression at Leganes before RB Leipzig came calling, and the Spanish club’s general manager Martin Ortega has now explained exactly why the 19-year-old’s rapid departure came as no surprise — offering Liverpool an illuminating glimpse into the midfielder’s ceiling.

Ortega told reporters that Diomande’s quality was unmistakable from the moment he set foot on the training pitch. “From the very first moment it was clear that he had extraordinary qualities,” the executive said. “It’s true that no one expected such a huge breakthrough in such a short time, but from the start it was clear that he was special, very special. We all saw it from his very first training session with the first team, when he amazed everyone. Without going into too much detail, he scored a spectacular goal that very few can pull off.”

Diomande joined Leganes in January 2024 and departed just six months later after Leipzig activated his €20m (£17m) release clause. Ortega acknowledged the move was entirely foreseeable. “The possibility of a big team coming in last summer and paying his release clause was certainly within the realm of possibility, and I’d even say it was the most likely scenario,” he said.

The Ivorian teenager has since justified Leipzig’s investment emphatically, registering 13 goals and 10 assists across 36 appearances in all competitions in his debut Bundesliga campaign. He is currently representing the Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup.

Liverpool have identified Diomande as a priority summer target, with reports suggesting Arne Slot’s side are prepared to offer up to £86m (€99m). Leipzig, however, are holding firm and will reportedly only sanction a sale for around £112m (€120m).

Ortega also noted that when Leipzig signed Diomande, English clubs were not among those in the running. “There were several big European clubs interested in him, but none were from the Premier League,” he said — a detail that underlines how quickly the teenager’s profile has risen.

Liverpool will not have the field to themselves. Paris Saint-Germain are also understood to be monitoring Diomande, and whether he makes another move this summer or remains at Leipzig for a further season has yet to be determined.