Ivory Coast star Yan Diomande insists his club future can wait as his nation prepares for their first-ever appearance in the knockout stages of a World Cup. The 19-year-old winger is a top target for Liverpool, who have communicated their willingness to pay up to £86m to RB Leipzig.
Liverpool's Pursuit and Leipzig's Stance
The Reds have been in ongoing talks with the Bundesliga side, but Leipzig are reluctant to sell and are pushing to offer Diomande a new contract. However, his agency, Roc Nation Sports, has been sounding out Europe's biggest clubs for months, with Paris Saint-Germain also interested. Liverpool's pursuit is believed to be the most advanced.
Leipzig signed Diomande from Leganes for around £17m last year. Despite their reluctance, a fee of around £112m could tempt them into selling. Managing director Marcel Schafer told Bild: "We don't have to say yes to any sum. Yan has no exit clause. That means we sit in the driver's seat and everyone else in the back seat."
Diomande's World Cup Focus
Diomande set up two goals for Nicolas Pepe in Ivory Coast's 2-0 win over Curacao on June 25, securing their place in the last 32. After the match, he said: "Right now, I don't know. I am not thinking about my future after the World Cup. I am trying to put all my energy into the World Cup and we will see what is going to happen after that. I can say nothing about."
Earlier in the tournament, after a 1-0 win over Ecuador on June 15, Diomande commented: "A move to the Premier League? I am an RB Leipzig player, but why not? My agents will sort that out. As for me I am more focused on the World Cup, that's the most important thing."
Transfer Talks Continue
Online claims that Liverpool made a second bid on Thursday were falsely attributed to German publication Bild. It is understood that talks remain ongoing between Liverpool and Leipzig. Diomande's comments follow a pattern of leaving his agency to handle the details while he concentrates on the international stage.
