It’s been confirmed by several top sources that Yan Diomande is now Liverpool’s top target to arrive in this summer’s transfer window.
Richard Hughes and Arne Slot are prioritising pace and one-v-one quality out wide – characteristics that the 19-year-old possesses in abundance.
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With Mo Salah’s departure confirmed – and Federico Chiesa expected to join the Egyptian King on the exit ramp – a space has opened up for a starting forward on the right side of the Reds’ attack.
Although Diomande can play either side he has been far more effective for RB Leipzig when lining up from the right.
His form in his rookie Bundesliga season – since joining from Leganes for £18m – has catapulted the Ivorian to the top of recruitment shortlists at Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
And it’s now been claimed in a report by Paul Joyce in the Times that Liverpool have got a secret weapon in the chase for Diomande.
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RB Leipzig want €100m for Diomande
With the forward’s price tag standing at €100m Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes will be doing all he can to bring the fee down.
And adding Harvey Elliott – coveted by Leipzig in last summer’s transfer window before he joined Aston Villa – could emerge as one potential route towards reducing the price.
“It stands to reason that Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, would try to chip away at that fee and the use of Harvey Elliott as part of a swap deal has been mooted,” the report reads.
“Elliott was a target for Leipzig last summer, but the German club could not match his valuation and the attacking midfielder instead headed to Aston Villa for what turned out to be an ill-fated loan move.
“More than ever, the 23-year-old needs regular game time and Leipzig can also offer Champions League football.”
