Richard Hughes won't wait: Countdown on for record Yan Diomande deal

Liverpool’s opening attempt to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig was knocked back.

The Reds bid a total sum that could reach €100m for the Cote d’Ivoire teenager - but it did not take long for Red Bull to reject it.

With Diomande under contract until 2030 - and a bidding war expected to ensue - it’s understandable why the Bundesliga side appear relaxed about the deal.

There are no guarantees that the 19-year-old will be leaving the Red Bull Arena this summer with his current employers planning a new contract.

Liverpool won't let Diomande deal drag on

In an ideal world RB Leipzig would like Diomande to stay one season at least and play in the Champions League before embarking on a new adventure.

For Liverpool the initial rejection represents quite a quandary. Either they pay up quickly or else they have to be prepared to move on to other targets.

That’s according to a report from Ben Jacobs - who claims the outgoing Premier League champions have put a DEADLINE in place for completing a deal for the former Leganes winger.

Having seen a British record £125m move for Alexander Isak drag on until the end of the transfer window the Anfield club are keen to avoid a repeat.

Isak’s lack of match fitness contributed to an overall poor season for the Reds - and they want a new winger onboarded with a degree of urgency.

PSG could bid for Diomande

“Understand Liverpool's bid for Yan Diomande was actually €80m+€20m not €90m+€10m, as originally thought,” he writes on X.

“Liverpool view Diomande as a priority, while PSG could bid as well.

“Optimism player wants to join. Yet if Leipzig don't engage over a sale, Liverpool are also prepared to move on to other targets.

“Said El Mala, Yankuba Minteh and Matias Fernandez-Pardo among them, while Bradley Barcola appreciated.

“Diomande not expected to be a drawn out saga, as was the case with Alexander Isak 12 months ago.

"Liverpool waited all summer for Isak due to more complicated circumstances (Newcastle incomings influenced timeline), and knowing his form, peak age and status as a proven Premier League goalscorer all supported that waiting tactic.

“This window, there is urgency to add in wide areas and as a result Liverpool are not planning for Diomande pursuit to run into August.

"The €80m+€20m offer was pretty swiftly rejected and Liverpool are now assessing whether Leipzig are prepared to engage.”

LFC compiling list of Diomande alternatives

Diomande has risen quickly in prominence following his move from Spanish football in summer 2025. He joined RB Leipzig on a five-year contract but it’s fair to say he has already overshot expectations.

Liverpool were first linked back in October - but the presence of Paris Saint-Germain could yet prove to be a destabilising factor in the Merseysiders’ pursuit.

A backup list of targets is sensible given the doubts surrounding a Diomande deal - the costs of which could swell to around £130m given Red Bull’s latest stance.

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