Liverpool have made an initial move in their pursuit of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with the Premier League champions understood to have informed the Bundesliga side of their interest in the player.
While no official offer has been tabled, reports indicate Liverpool have opened lines of communication with Leipzig as they explore a possible deal for the highly sought-after Ivory Coast international.
The 19-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers and is attracting attention from a number of elite clubs.
Manchester United and Manchester City have both been linked with Diomande, while Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring his situation.
Leipzig, however, are eager to retain the winger and are reportedly pushing for him to commit his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract.
Diomande has previously acknowledged his admiration for PSG.
Speaking to French broadcaster Telefoot, he said playing in Ligue 1 for one of the country’s biggest clubs would be an attractive prospect and suggested adapting to French football would not be difficult. Despite the speculation, he stressed that he remains focused on his current club.
The winger’s rise has been remarkable. Just a year ago, Diomande had only a handful of senior appearances to his name after breaking into the Leganes first team during the closing stages of their relegation campaign in La Liga.
Although he started only six matches, he managed to score against Espanyol and Real Valladolid, performances that convinced Leipzig to invest around €20 million to bring him to Germany.
Since arriving in the Bundesliga, Diomande has exceeded expectations. His pace, direct running and ability to beat defenders have made him one of the league’s most exciting attacking talents, prompting growing interest from some of the biggest clubs in world football.
With Liverpool now entering the race, competition for the teenager’s signature appears set to intensify in the coming months.
