Liverpool ready to test resolve over Yan Diomande as Richard Hughes plots next big move
Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, is preparing for another ambitious venture in the transfer market, with reports from Germany suggesting the club are closely monitoring RB Leipzig’s breakout star, Yan Diomande.
Having already broken records during his short tenure at Anfield, Hughes could be set to oversee yet another landmark deal as Liverpool’s recruitment drive under Arne Slot continues to evolve.
Hughes’ rebuilding vision takes shape
Hughes has wasted no time asserting his influence since taking charge of Liverpool’s transfer strategy. His first summer at Anfield saw the club smash their own transfer record twice — first for Florian Wirtz and then for Alexander Isak, the latter also setting a new British benchmark.
While neither Wirtz nor Isak has yet fully hit stride, there’s an acceptance internally that such transitions take time. Slot, too, faces the challenge of integrating multiple new arrivals into a squad already in flux. The overarching plan, though, remains focused on sustainability — building a team that can dominate not just this season, but across the next decade.
For Hughes, that means the work is far from over. Several positions remain under review, with Liverpool still seeking to address gaps left unfilled in previous windows.
Diomande emerges as prime target
The latest name attracting Anfield’s attention is 18-year-old winger Yan Diomande, whose rapid rise at RB Leipzig has drawn interest from across Europe. According to BILD, Liverpool scouts have been tracking the Ivorian’s progress closely after an impressive start to life in the Bundesliga.
Diomande, who joined Leipzig from Leganés last summer, has recorded seven goal contributions in just 11 appearances, amassing only 618 minutes of playing time. That translates to a goal or assist roughly every 88 minutes — remarkable consistency for a teenager in one of Europe’s top leagues.
He’s also made an immediate impact at international level, scoring twice in his first two appearances for the Ivory Coast.
A left-sided forward blessed with pace, flair and an eye for direct attacking play, Diomande fits the profile Liverpool have been seeking since Luis DÃaz’s role became more demanding. He’s fearless in one-on-one situations, excels at carrying the ball through tight spaces, and has shown a maturity beyond his years in decision-making.
This radar chart, based on Opta data via FBref, provides an insightful overview of Yan Diomande’s performance over the past 365 days, benchmarking him against attacking midfielders and wingers. With 1,078 minutes of football analysed, the data paints a picture of a player whose direct, progressive style and defensive contribution make him a standout young talent in Europe.
The first takeaway is Diomande’s extraordinary output in progressive play and one-on-one situations. Scoring 99th percentile in both progressive carries and successful take-ons, he ranks among the elite in driving the ball forward and beating defenders. This supports the narrative of Diomande as a winger who thrives on dynamism — someone who can advance play with pace and control. His 95th percentile in touches in the attacking penalty area reinforces this, highlighting his presence in advanced zones and his ability to consistently get into dangerous positions.
Offensively, Diomande also shows strong end product metrics. He ranks in the 90th percentile for non-penalty goals, an impressive figure given his age and limited top-flight experience. Meanwhile, his assists (73rd percentile) and shot-creating actions (92nd percentile) demonstrate that he contributes not just as a finisher but also as a creator. The balance between goal threat and chance creation suggests an all-round forward capable of influencing the game in multiple phases.
However, there are areas where his numbers hint at potential refinement. His npxG + xAG (49th percentile) — a combined measure of expected goals and assists — indicates that his current output may slightly exceed the expected value based on chance quality. This could mean he’s been finishing at an above-average rate, or that his shot selection may not yet be fully optimised. Similarly, shots total (38th percentile) is relatively low, suggesting he prefers carrying the ball into the box rather than shooting from distance, which aligns with his high touch count in advanced areas.
In terms of possession and passing, Diomande’s radar shows mixed results. His pass completion rate (72nd percentile) is respectable but not exceptional, especially when paired with an average progressive passes metric (40th percentile). This may reflect his role as a risk-taker — opting for dribbles and incisive movements rather than safe recycling of possession. Notably, his progressive passes received (65th percentile) further supports his advanced positioning, often being the outlet for forward transitions rather than initiating them.
What sets Diomande apart from most wingers his age, though, is his remarkable defensive contribution. His defensive metrics — interceptions (99th percentile), blocks (95th), and tackles (78th) — are elite. For an attacking player, this combination is rare, indicating strong work rate, pressing intelligence, and commitment to tracking back. It mirrors the traits valued in high-pressing systems like Liverpool’s, where attackers are expected to defend from the front.
In summary, this radar encapsulates Yan Diomande as a high-intensity winger with elite dribbling, progressive play, and defensive engagement. While his passing could mature and his shot volume rise, his blend of creativity, work rate, and directness mark him out as one of Europe’s most intriguing young attackers — the type of wide forward perfectly suited to modern Premier League football.
Financial hurdles and Red Bull connections
Leipzig, however, are not expected to part with their new star cheaply. Reports indicate that the German side would demand around €100 million — a fee that would surpass their previous record sale, when Josko Gvardiol joined Manchester City.
Such a valuation would represent yet another club-record deal for Liverpool under Hughes, testing both the club’s financial flexibility and commitment to their youth-oriented rebuild.
Liverpool’s long-standing relationship with the Red Bull network could, however, play a role in smoothing negotiations. The connection remains strong at executive level, with key figures such as Jürgen Klopp — now serving as Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer — maintaining ties that could facilitate dialogue between the clubs.
While that doesn’t guarantee a discount, it could at least open the door to constructive discussions should Hughes decide to make a formal move.
What it means for Liverpool’s long-term strategy
Liverpool’s pursuit of Diomande would underline a continued commitment to recruiting emerging elite talent rather than short-term fixes. With Slot still moulding his tactical framework, Hughes’ recruitment approach appears aligned to future-proof the squad with dynamic, technically gifted young players capable of thriving in high-intensity systems.
Though talks have not yet advanced, interest in Diomande signals Liverpool’s readiness to act decisively when the right opportunity arises. If Hughes can navigate Leipzig’s valuation, this could be the next defining move of his tenure — another bold step in Liverpool’s evolving rebuild.
