Liverpool’s search for a Mohamed Salah successor this summer isn’t one to rush. However, few contenders for the role make more sense than Yan Diomande, who has already spoken of what it would mean for him and his family to complete such a transfer.
After only one season at RB Leipzig, the 19-year-old has demonstrated he’s capable of levelling up once more in the European pecking order. His first season in the Bundesliga saw him score 13 goals and assist another 10 in only 36 games, an incredibly prolific return for one so young.
It was reported last month that Liverpool are leading the chase for Diomande, who also has his admirers at Paris Saint-Germain. However, Leipzig is expected to drive a hard bargain, with a price tag of £87million being touted for his signature.
New manager Andoni Iraola will be banking on owners Fenway Sports Group to bankroll some significant moves in the market. And it helps Liverpool’s case that Diomande has signified just what it would mean to turn out in Liverpool red.
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Speaking on a TikTok live stream in November 2025, the winger – who can play on either flank but has been most effective on the right – said: “I have one [dream], I want to play at Anfield. I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a big fan of Liverpool.”
Diomande has since clarified to Bild that his “dream” remark in fact applied more to his father than himself specifically: “People made it out to be my dream club, but first and foremost, it’s my dad’s favourite club.
“It was always his great wish to see me play there someday because he loves the atmosphere at Anfield. He always raved about Steven Gerrard. I was too young to see him play. We didn’t even have a TV at home for a long time.”
He continued to pay respect to his current employers when he added: “I have a lot of respect for Liverpool, but my dream club right now is Leipzig.”
View 2 ImagesMohamed Salah will need replacing after leaving Anfield this summer(Image: Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
Still, it’s difficult to get away from the notion that Diomande would be inclined to fulfil his father’s wish by moving to Liverpool. And reports in recent months have suggested the Reds are very much keeping the Ivorian on their radar.
Fans on Merseyside would undoubtedly like it if club legend Jurgen Klopp could do them a favour by talking up the move. The German serves as head of global football at Red Bull and therefore spends some time in Leipzig, given their connections to the energy drink company.
Diomande was asked earlier this year if Klopp has attempted to sway him in favour of a move to Merseyside. However, his answer suggested the former Reds boss has remained strictly impartial on the matter.
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“No, not that, but we talk every now and then,” he told Bild. “He tells me to stay humble and keep working hard.
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“It was always my dream to play on one of his teams. That’s not quite possible now, but being so close to him now, talking to him, shaking his hand, it’s incredible. He’s a legend.”
Those remarks again hint at a certain affinity for Liverpool and what they accomplished while Klopp was in charge. But from watching Salah succeed down their right wing, Diomande himself could be part of the next generation to usher in an era of success at Anfield.
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