Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United have been dealt a significant blow in the race for one of Europe's most coveted young talents, after RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande publicly declared his dream is to play for Liverpool.
Anfield Ambition Revealed
The 19-year-old Ivorian attacker, who has been in scintillating form since his move from Leganes, made the revealing comments during a live stream on TikTok. Diomande stated unequivocally: "Yes I do, I want to play at Anfield and I want to play for Liverpool. I'm a big fan of Liverpool."
He elaborated that his ambition is deeply personal, rooted in a family wish. "I'm a big fan of Liverpool because my father's dream is to see me play at Anfield," Diomande explained. "So that's my dream. You know, to fulfil my father's dream is a dream for me too."
A High-Profile Transfer Tussle
Diomande's admission comes at a time when his performances have put him firmly on the radar of Europe's elite clubs. With seven goals in just 16 appearances across all competitions for Leipzig, his rapid rise has been remarkable.
Alongside Arsenal and Manchester United, other clubs reportedly monitoring the situation include German champions Bayern Munich and French giants Paris Saint-Germain. However, any suitor will face a formidable financial hurdle.
According to reports from The Athletic, RB Leipzig view the teenager as essential to their Champions League qualification hopes and have set a staggering asking price. They are not expected to sell unless they receive an offer in the region of €100 million, which equates to roughly £87 million.
Leipzig's Firm Stance and Liverpool's Reality
Leipzig's sporting director, Marcel Schafer, has been unequivocal about the club's desire to retain their star player. "It is our aim to keep players with us for longer than just one year, because otherwise you don't achieve any continuity," Schafer recently told Kicker.
When directly questioned about who controls Diomande's future, Schafer offered a metaphor that left little room for doubt: "There isn't even anyone sitting in the passenger seat. Everyone is sitting in the back seat."
Despite Diomande's clear affinity for Liverpool, an imminent move to Anfield appears complex. The player is currently contracted to Leipzig until 2030, and Liverpool invested heavily in their attack last summer with the signings of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz.
Furthermore, Diomande is presently focused on international duty, representing the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations, where he has already been capped nine times.
While the teenager's heart may be set on Merseyside, the financial and tactical realities of the transfer market mean the saga surrounding Yan Diomande is only just beginning, leaving Arsenal and Manchester United to reconsider their strategies.
