Green light as Andoni Iraola says yes to £112m forward deal

It’s no secret that Liverpool are chasing wingers heading into the summer transfer window.

One-v-one quality out wide was lacking last season with Arne Slot and Richard Hughes identifying those areas as being in need of improvement.

Mohamed Salah’s £400k per week wages are now off the books while Federico Chiesa is expected to join the Egyptian King in the departure lounge.

Space has therefore opened up for a new winger - while uncertainty currently reigns over the future of Cody Gakpo.

Diomande deal moves closer

There has been no shortage of star names linked - with Nico Williams, Bradley Barcola and Jarrod Bowen among those mentioned.

There is also admiration for Bournemouth wide man Rayan - who is at the FIFA World Cup with Brazil and who shone under Andoni Iraola at the Vitality Stadium.

But the new Liverpool head coach is ready to stick a pin in any deal for the 19-year-old - and instead has offered his approval for Yan Diomande.

That’s according to a report in TEAMtalk which claims the Basque tactico is on the same page as sporting director Richard Hughes.

Andoni Iraola says yes

“Liverpool are continuing their efforts to sign RB Leipzig’s brilliant young winger Yan Diomande, with Andoni Iraola emerging as the new driving force behind the potential blockbuster transfer,” the report reads.

“Liverpool have been in constructive dialogue with Leipzig regarding a summer move.

“Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot as Liverpool boss earlier this summer, is understood to be a huge admirer of Diomande’s dynamic style and we can reveal he is not just very much in tune with Richard Hughes’ desire to sign him, but is actively pushing the club’s hierarchy to complete the deal.”

Red Bull set £112m price for Diomande deal

Diomande enjoyed a breakout season with RB Leipzig in 2025/26 - having joined from Leganes for only £18m. If the German Bundesliga side cash in this summer it will be for a minimum £112m (€130m) per the report.

With the young Cote d’Ivoire attacker under contract until 2030 Red Bull are of course in no rush to sell.

The report is also claiming that Diomande remains keen on a move to Anfield but the outgoing Premier League champions will have to pay attention to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

“The attacker remains open to a move to Liverpool,” the report continues.

“Real Madrid could come calling and have been showing signs of interest in recent weeks.”

A quick resolution is unlikely owing to Diomande participating at the FIFA World Cup with Les Elephants.

We will have to wait until the West African side’s interest in the tournament is at an end before finding out anything more definitive about Diomande’s future.

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