Liverpool can land £111m star to delight Iraola as ‘transfer agreement reached’ | Football | Sport
Liverpool could sign one of Europe’s hottest talents to delight incoming manager Andoni Iraola upon his arrival at Anfield. RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is amongst the contenders to make the move to Merseyside after catching the eye in the Bundesliga. The teenager arrived in Germany less than 12 months ago, when Leipzig triggered his £17million release clause to secure his services from Leganes.
Having scored 12 league goals in his maiden campaign, Diomande’s valuation has soared dramatically. CIES Football Observatory now rates the Ivory Coast international at an eye-watering £111million, a sum the Reds had never spent until last summer. However, they may not need to, with Diomande understood to have a release clause in the vicinity of £86m.
While that still represents more than four times what Leipzig paid last July, it suggests there is potential value to be found despite numerous clubs pursuing his signature.
The Merseyside outfit will face fierce competition to deliver their new manager a highly-rated talent should a deal materialise.
French outlet Foot Mercato reports that Diomande has reached an agreement to join PSG, with multiple discussions already held between Leipzig and the Parisians over a potential switch.
Yet the forward is also said to be ‘tempted’ by the possibility of joining Liverpool. Asked about his future ahead of the World Cup, Diomande said: “I am not going to say something crazy.
“I want to be one of the best on the field,” he continued. “But I want to go slowly, step by step to reach what I want to do.”
That could be encouraging news if Leipzig are unwilling to sell and no club meets his release clause. Diomande is deeply appreciative of the platform the German outfit have already provided him.
“Nobody knew me before,” he said. “To put up €20million, it is a lot to buy a talent nobody knows. That was a big risk for them.”
“I want to thank everyone at the club who gave me this amazing opportunity to be here. The only thing I can do for them to say thanks is give everything on the pitch and this is what I am trying to do every day.”
Liverpool could hold the upper hand in any negotiations with Leipzig, after the Bundesliga club showed interest in Harvey Elliott last summer. The former Fulham starlet may well feature in a player-plus-cash arrangement.
The Reds have also been linked with a swoop for Bradley Barcola, with the French forward likely to be made available only if Diomande completes a switch to Paris.
