Liverpool are said to be pushing hard in the transfer market as the club braces for a significant new chapter at Anfield in the wake of Arne Slot’s sacking. Sporting director Richard Hughes is reportedly working at pace behind the scenes to secure a deal for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande ahead of the 2026 World Cup finals this summer.
The speculation has gathered momentum following Fenway Sports Group’s reported decision to dismiss Slot after a troubled spell in charge. Focus has since turned sharply to finding his replacement, with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola emerging as the clear frontrunner for the role.
Iraola is said to be on the verge of being confirmed as Liverpool’s next manager after reportedly rejecting advances from both Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard is understood to have made the Liverpool job his top priority, with multiple sources indicating he has essentially made up his mind to take charge at Anfield this summer.
As the managerial picture nears resolution, transfer activity is also moving quickly. TEAMtalk reports that Hughes is eager to make Diomande one of the headline signings of the incoming Iraola era.
Liverpool are said to be keen on wrapping up a deal before the World Cup kicks off on June 11, with the club wary that a strong tournament showing could inflate the winger’s asking price and attract rival interest.
Talks between Liverpool and Diomande’s camp are reportedly already in progress, and the player is said to be genuinely excited by the prospect of joining. The Ivory Coast international is understood to regard Liverpool as one of the sport’s elite clubs and is receptive to the idea of being central to their rebuilding plans.
That said, the deal is far from simple. RB Leipzig are reportedly digging their heels in over their prized asset, insisting on a minimum of €100 million. The German club consider Diomande among the most exciting young attackers on the continent and have no desire to sell cheaply.
Despite the hefty price tag, FSG are reportedly prepared to match Leipzig’s valuation if it comes to it. Should the transfer go through at that figure, Diomande would surpass Nicolas Pepe — who moved to Arsenal from Lille for around €80 million in 2019 — to become the most expensive Ivorian player ever.
Internally, Liverpool reportedly see the 19-year-old as the natural long-term heir to Mohamed Salah, whose exit this summer now appears a formality following a fractured relationship with Slot during the season. Club officials are said to believe Diomande has the pace, creativity, technical quality, and ceiling to develop into one of Europe’s finest wide forwards.
Diomande himself has not shied away from addressing his future. When pressed about reports that Leipzig could hold out for as much as €150 million, he acknowledged being aware of the noise surrounding him while making clear his ambition to one day play for a top European club. Without specifying Liverpool, he openly stated that competing at the highest level has always been his goal.
The winger traced his rapid rise, noting how far he has come since his time at Leganés before landing at Leipzig. He also opened up about the struggles that preceded his breakthrough, revealing he spent time on trial at a string of clubs — including Rangers, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Olympiacos — without ever securing a permanent contract. He even recalled a conversation with Mauricio Pochettino during his Chelsea trial, yet nothing concrete came of it.
After repeated disappointments, Diomande admitted he grew weary of the cycle and told his agent following his final trial in Greece that he was done chasing opportunities that never led anywhere. He opted instead for the stability of a professional contract at Leganés, a move that ultimately proved the turning point in his career and opened the door to Leipzig.
Now, just a handful of years on, he finds himself at the centre of one of the summer’s most talked-about potential transfers. Should Liverpool get the deal done, it would send a powerful message about their ambitions under Iraola.
With a new manager incoming, their greatest modern-era player heading for the exit, and one of Europe’s most coveted young talents in their sights, Liverpool are clearly intent on moving swiftly and decisively into a new era.
