David Ornstein confirms Liverpool are pushing to sign Bundesliga forward | OneFootball

Liverpool Lead Race for Yan Diomande as Succession Planning Continues

Liverpool’s search for life after Mohamed Salah appears to have accelerated, with reports from David Ornstein in The Athletic indicating that the club have made contact with RB Leipzig regarding highly rated forward Yan Diomande.

The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers following a remarkable breakthrough campaign in Germany. Liverpool are understood to be in the strongest position with the player should negotiations develop further, although any deal remains far from straightforward.

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Leipzig Hold Firm Over Valuation

RB Leipzig’s stance has been crystal clear throughout the process. The Bundesliga club do not want to sell Diomande and have repeatedly stated that it would require an offer exceeding €130million to alter their position.

That figure presents a significant challenge for Liverpool. While the club have demonstrated a willingness to invest heavily under the current ownership structure, there are understandable questions over whether they would commit such a substantial fee after last summer’s reported £450m spending spree.

Leipzig are under no pressure to negotiate. Diomande only arrived from Leganes in 2025 and remains under contract until 2030, with no release clause providing an obvious route for interested clubs.

Salah Departure Creates Opportunity

Liverpool’s interest is easy to understand. Salah’s decision to leave Anfield at the end of the season has created a sizeable vacancy in the attacking unit.

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Replacing a player who sits third on Liverpool’s all-time scoring list is never a simple task. Rather than searching solely for an established superstar, the recruitment team appear keen to identify elite young talent capable of developing into a world-class performer.

Diomande’s statistics certainly support that approach. His return of 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances helped Leipzig secure Champions League qualification and established him as one of the most coveted young forwards on the continent.

Competition Remains Intense

Paris Saint-Germain continue to monitor the situation closely, while Manchester City are among several clubs tracking the player.

However, Liverpool currently appear to have built the strongest foundations. The prospect of regular football and a direct pathway into the starting line-up could prove influential.

Speaking recently about growing transfer speculation, Diomande admitted: “Imagine people say you go to Chelsea or Real Madrid (as examples of big clubs) to do this job … you’re going to be happy and motivated to do more.”

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He added: “I don’t think about it too much because my focus is on the pitch, my job is playing football, that takes care of everything, but it gives me a lot of motivation to see people talking about me.”

Liverpool’s admiration is clear. The challenge now lies in determining whether that admiration can evolve into a realistic deal.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This report feels both exciting and realistic if you’re a Liverpool supporter. The club have rarely chased established superstars at their peak value. Instead, Liverpool’s greatest successes in the transfer market have often come from identifying elite talent before the rest of Europe fully catches up.

Diomande appears to fit that profile perfectly. At 19 years old, he already has impressive numbers in one of Europe’s strongest leagues, while his pace, directness and productivity suggest he could thrive in the Premier League environment.

The concern, naturally, is the price. A valuation north of €130million is enormous for a player with only one full breakthrough season behind him. Liverpool supporters will appreciate the talent but may question whether such a fee represents the best use of resources when strengthening other areas of the squad remains important.

There is also the reality of replacing Salah. No single player can replicate his goals, assists, durability and influence. Liverpool may need several players contributing collectively rather than expecting one young forward to carry that burden immediately.

What will encourage supporters is the suggestion that Liverpool are leading the race. Elite young players have options across Europe, and getting ahead of PSG and Manchester City would demonstrate the club’s continued pulling power.

For now, this feels like a transfer worth monitoring closely. Diomande possesses the profile, potential and ceiling to become a major star. Whether Liverpool are willing to meet Leipzig’s demands is the question that could define the remainder of their summer window.