Liverpool Spurs and Manchester United may face legal difficulty in move for Bundesliga starlet | OneFootball

Liverpool and Man Utd Target Yan Diomande Caught in Agency Dispute

Yan Diomande has become one of the most discussed young forwards in Europe. His rise at RB Leipzig has drawn attention from Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, with Bayern Munich also monitoring his development. Yet, as reported by The Telegraph, the 19 year old now finds himself at the centre of a dispute that could complicate any summer transfer.

Diomande’s impact has been immediate. Since completing a £17.5m move from Leganés, he has scored 10 goals in all competitions and added five Bundesliga assists. Operating predominantly from the right under head coach Ole Werner, he has demonstrated the ability to take on defenders on the outside or cut inside to influence the game centrally. That profile aligns with the recruitment priorities of several Champions League level clubs.

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However, before any £80m valuation can be tested in the market, clarity is required regarding who represents him.

Agency Conflict Raises Legal Stakes

Roc Nation, the agency founded by Jay-Z, announced shortly after the January window that it had signed Diomande. “Welcome to the family,” it posted on February 6. The player’s profile appeared on its website alongside high profile names such as Vinícius Júnior and Gabriel Martinelli.

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Until that point, Diomande had been represented by Maxidel Management, run by former Leeds United winger Max Gradel. On January 1, Maxidel announced on Instagram that it had renewed its contract with the player and thanked him for his loyalty.

Maxidel has since issued a firm response, insisting that Diomande “remains contractually bound to our agency”.

The statement reads: “It is therefore with great surprise that we are now discovering that an an engagement may have been made in parallel with another agency, outside of any proper procedure and without respect for our contractual rights.

“In light of this situation, Maxidel Management will take all necessary measures to protect its rights and defend its interests through the appropriate legal channels.”

Maxidel says it has lodged approved paperwork with federations in Germany, Spain and England confirming its status as Diomande’s representative until 2027. It also claims to hold an image rights agreement until 2031 and an exclusive mandate to sell him. Roc Nation did not comment when contacted by Telegraph Sport but is understood to believe it has signed Diomande legally.

Should the matter escalate, the Court of Arbitration for Sport would be the ultimate forum for resolution.

Summer Transfer Hinges on Resolution

For Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, the priority is certainty. Any club prepared to invest at least £80m will require assurance that representation is settled and negotiations can proceed without legal risk.

Diomande is expected to feature for Ivory Coast at the World Cup this summer, a stage that could further elevate his market value. His age, output and physical attributes suggest significant resale potential, which explains why he is viewed internally by suitors as a strategic investment rather than a speculative gamble.

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Leipzig are under no immediate pressure to sell. They have positioned Diomande as a key asset and would seek maximum value. Bayern Munich’s interest underlines the competition at the top end of the market.

For English clubs, timing will be critical. A prolonged dispute could delay movement, narrowing options later in the window.

Premier League Interest Intensifies

Liverpool’s recruitment model prioritises profile, age and adaptability. Diomande fits that criteria. Manchester United are also assessing attacking reinforcements as they refine their squad structure. Tottenham, seeking greater penetration from wide areas, have tracked his progress closely.

Each club will conduct due diligence before formal engagement. In a market where margins are tight and regulation increasingly influential, legal clarity is as important as tactical fit.

Diomande’s trajectory suggests he will move at some point. Whether that occurs this summer may depend less on interest and more on the resolution of a dispute that now sits alongside his burgeoning reputation.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Liverpool, Diomande represents the type of signing the club have targeted successfully in the past. Young, explosive, capable of operating across the front line. However, fans will be wary of legal complexity. Liverpool’s hierarchy value clean negotiations. Any suggestion of arbitration or dispute may prompt caution.

Tottenham supporters may view this as an opportunity. Spurs require dynamism in wide areas and a player of Diomande’s profile would signal intent. Yet there is awareness that competing financially with Bayern or Premier League rivals demands decisive action.

Manchester United fans will see parallels with previous pursuits where uncertainty influenced outcomes. They will want the club to be proactive, not reactive. Securing a player valued at £80m requires confidence in both structure and strategy.

Across all three fanbases, excitement over talent is tempered by pragmatism. Until representation is clarified, admiration remains theoretical rather than imminent.