Liverpool Step Up Interest in Yan Diomande as Leipzig Talks Continue
Liverpool’s search for attacking reinforcements has moved into a more urgent phase, with growing attention on RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as uncertainty continues to surround Mohamed Salah’s long-term future at Anfield. With strategic planning already under way for the January window and beyond, the 19-year-old has emerged as a leading candidate in the club’s forward-line restructuring.
Recruitment Shift Highlights Changing Priorities
Internal assessments had initially centred on the left side of Liverpool’s attack following Luis DÃaz’s summer move to Bayern Munich. The expectation was that Rio Ngumoha would serve as backup to Cody Gakpo, but Arne Slot has been reluctant to fast-track the teenager into regular Premier League minutes. That stance opened the door for external options to be revisited.
Links to Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo have naturally surfaced, with his release clause making him an accessible target. His direct, physically imposing style impressed Liverpool scouts throughout autumn, offering a different attacking angle reminiscent of DÃaz. Yet the evolving situation on the right flank, sparked by the contractual uncertainty surrounding Salah, has pushed the club to accelerate parallel discussions on that side of the pitch.
Diomande Emerges as Leading Candidate
Liverpool’s admiration for Yan Diomande is far from new, but his recent performances have added urgency to ongoing conversations. The Leipzig teenager struck a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt last week, elevating his season total to seven goals and three assists across 15 appearances. Averaging just over an hour per match, his productivity at such a young age has been noted across Europe.
Although Leipzig’s absence from European competition this season has eased fixture pressure, Diomande’s consistency remains a standout feature. Breaking through in the Bundesliga at 19 is rare; doing so with genuine authority is rarer still. His blend of pace, confidence and clinical decision-making has convinced senior Liverpool figures that he possesses the long-term ceiling required to eventually inherit Salah’s role.
Sources in Germany indicate that Leipzig value the Ivory Coast forward at around €100m. While no formal offer has been submitted and the window has yet to open, discussions between Liverpool and Diomande’s representatives are said to be taking place on a daily basis. Sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot are aligned in their view of the teenager as a priority target.
Transfer Timeline and Strategic Considerations
A January move cannot be entirely dismissed, particularly if Salah’s situation changes rapidly, but a transfer of such magnitude mid-season would be unusual. Liverpool have historically preferred well-structured, long-range recruitment processes rather than reactive major spending. Even so, the club recognises the need to remain agile amid one of the most unpredictable forward-planning periods in the post-FSG era.
At present, a summer move remains the more realistic scenario, allowing Leipzig time to prepare replacements and Liverpool to refine their squad-building strategy. But the fact that negotiations are progressing at pace signals genuine intent rather than exploratory interest.
What is clear is that Liverpool are preparing for significant evolution in their attacking department. Diomande, with his trajectory and tactical fit, is seen as an investment that could define the next phase of the club’s frontline.
