Liverpool contact RB Leipzig over Yan Diomande as Salah replacement search intensifies

Liverpool have contacted RB Leipzig to open talks over the signing of Yan Diomande, with the Reds identified as the frontrunners for the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger despite a £112m asking price and Leipzig’s stated preference to keep him. The approach comes as the club prepares to confirm Andoni Iraola as manager to replace Arne Slot.

Diomande had a remarkable debut season in the Bundesliga, registering 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances after joining Leipzig from Spanish side Leganés for €20m last July. He was named the Bundesliga Young Player of the Season and is contracted at the German club until June 2030 with no release clause, giving Leipzig full control over any potential sale.

Paris Saint-Germain are the other major suitor, with French reports earlier this week claiming Diomande had agreed personal terms with the Ligue 1 champions. Liverpool, however, have not withdrawn and according to The Athletic are now considered to be in the strongest position to complete a deal. Manchester City have also registered interest.

The primary obstacle is Leipzig’s reluctance to part with one of their most prized assets after just one season. Liverpool, for their part, are cautious about committing a further £112m having spent over £450m last summer — a figure that included the acquisitions of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

The sporting logic behind the pursuit is clear. Mohamed Salah’s departure has left a significant void on the right flank, and unlike PSG — who can call on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola — Liverpool currently have no direct replacement in that position. Milos Kerkez has been brought in to cover Andy Robertson’s exit, and Jeremy Jacquet signed to fill the gap left by the departing Ibrahima Konaté, but the Salah role remains unfilled.

Incoming manager Iraola, whose appointment is expected to be confirmed imminently, built a reputation at Bournemouth for extracting the best from young attacking talent — a factor that sporting director Richard Hughes cited as central to wanting to reunite with the Spaniard on Merseyside. Diomande’s profile fits Fenway Sports Group’s long-standing preference for young, high-ceiling players.

Diomande himself offered little encouragement to suitors when asked about his future last month. “My contract here is until 2030, so I have four more years,” he said. “What’s going to happen afterwards? I don’t know. I am a Leipzig player. I will never forget this opportunity.”

With no release clause and a seller unwilling to negotiate, Liverpool face a complicated summer pursuit — but the gap Salah has left gives them a compelling reason to keep pushing.