Paul Joyce: Liverpool could have a trick up their sleeve in pursuit of £85m forward | OneFootball

Liverpool Could Use Harvey Elliott in Yan Diomande Transfer Talks with RB Leipzig

Liverpool’s summer recruitment plans are already taking shape, with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande emerging as one of the most significant names under consideration.

Arne Slot’s side face a major decision on the right side of attack, with Mohamed Salah expected to leave Anfield when his contract expires. Salah has again been influential this season, registering 12 goals and nine assists in 39 appearances before suffering a hamstring injury. Replacing that level of production will be one of Liverpool’s biggest challenges of the window.

Diomande, 19, has been identified as a serious option. The Ivorian has enjoyed a standout 2025/26 campaign in Germany, producing 12 goals and eight assists in 30 Bundesliga appearances for RB Leipzig. That output has pushed his valuation to around £85 million, a figure that would require careful planning from Liverpool.

Elliott Situation Could Shape Liverpool Strategy

Harvey Elliott’s future may now become relevant to any potential Liverpool move for Yan Diomande.

The 23-year-old joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan in September 2025, with the agreement including an obligation to buy worth £35 million if appearance conditions were met. Yet the move has not developed as Elliott would have hoped.

Unai Emery decided early in the season that Aston Villa would not proceed towards triggering the clause, effectively limiting Elliott’s Premier League involvement. The structure of the agreement meant Villa would be required to complete the permanent purchase if Elliott made ten league appearances.

Photo: IMAGO

As a result, Elliott has played only 277 minutes during the loan spell. For a player who had been named England U21 European Championship Player of the Tournament in consecutive tournaments, it has been a damaging campaign at a critical stage of his career.

RB Leipzig Interest Adds Intrigue

Elliott is expected to leave Liverpool permanently this summer, and RB Leipzig’s previous interest could become important.

The Bundesliga club were interested in Elliott last summer, although their valuation was understood to be closer to £20 million. That did not lead to a deal at the time, but the landscape may now have changed.

Paul Joyce of The Times has linked Elliott’s situation with Liverpool’s interest in Diomande, writing that should talks advance, “it would be no surprise if Elliott was mentioned as a means of bringing down the Ivorian’s £85million price tag.”

Photo: IMAGO

That line captures why this potential deal carries logic for all sides. Liverpool need to reduce the financial burden of signing Diomande, RB Leipzig already admire Elliott, and the player himself requires a clean break after a frustrating season at Villa Park.

Diomande Deal Would Fit Slot’s Rebuild

Liverpool’s recruitment team will know that Diomande represents both opportunity and risk. His pace, end product and age profile fit the model of a high ceiling signing, but an £85 million fee would place heavy pressure on immediate adaptation.

Using Elliott as part of the conversation could help Liverpool create a more workable package. It would not remove the complexity of the deal, but it could alter the financial equation enough to make negotiations possible.

Summer Decision Awaits

For Elliott, a move to RB Leipzig could offer the regular football he has lacked this season. For Liverpool, it could provide a route towards one of Europe’s most exciting young wide forwards.

With Salah’s exit set to leave a major void, Diomande will remain a name to monitor closely. Elliott’s difficult loan spell may yet become an unexpected factor in Liverpool’s attempt to reshape their attack.