Yan Diomande is COMING to Liverpool, and it's going to be special

Yan Diomande is the most sought after property in European football right now and his destination already feels preordained.

Right now, Richard Hughes faces an insurmountable task. 2026 will be the year when he needs to replace one of the biggest icons in Liverpool's recent history.

There's very little scenario in which Mo Salah will not leave the club come the end of the season. Liverpool will not want to lose him on a free. It's clear that he is no longer part of the long-term project at Anfield so he won't want to sit on the bench either.

We can debate the timing. How things have led to this. Ultimately, though letting Salah go is probably the right decision.

The only problem is that he will be impossible to replace. You can't bring in another Salah. There's only one, and there will only ever be one.

But you can buy the next superstar, and that superstar has already opened the door to a move to Anfield. He's also someone Richard Hughes knows well from his time at Bournemouth.

Yan Diomande made it clear he is a Liverpool fan and that him and his father dream of him playing at Anfield for the Reds recently.

It was a revelation that sent Liverpool supporters into a frenzy on social media. The hype and the excitement and the gravity of a player as exciting as Diomande openly admitting his desire to join the club made everyone feel like we already know how this script is going to go.

Liverpool need a winger. They want to add speed and unpredictability. Someone who excels in one vs one situations.

There's no one as exciting and as good at this than Diomande this season.

He's only 19-years-old but he leads the Bundesliga for successful take-ons (42) and also has the second fastest top-speed (35.8km/h).

The speed combined with his ability to be effective with both feet make Diomande the perfect profile.

He's been playing a lot of games on the right-wing for RB Leipzig. And that's another thing. He plays for Red Bull. A club that employs Jurgen Klopp.

A club that regularly sells to Liverpool every two years or so. Sadio Mane made his name there. Naby Keita. Takumi Minamino. Dominik Szoboszlai. Ibrahima Konate.

Diomande could just be following tradition.

Some people will argue that his sample size is small. But again among the leading sporting directors in Europe, Richard Hughes is the one who knows him the most.

Anfield Watch understands Diomande was invited on a trial to Bournemouth during the 2023/24 season. Hughes was still employed by the club at the time.

This was a successful trial. Diomande caught the eye but ultimately he decided to join Leganes, who offered the best pathway for him.

This though means Hughes might have been aware of Diomande for years, unlike the rest of the footballing world who are only catching up with him now.

That gives Liverpool another advantage. Even more insight and confidence into pursuing a move for him.

So, right now it feels like destiny. Diomande looks certain to come to Liverpool.

And when he does, it's going to be special. He's an incredible footballer. Exactly the type of player the club is missing right now. The type who will inject speed, intensity and make this team great again.

Diomande in a Liverpool shirt will be special.

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