Liverpool Pursues Yan Diomande as New Wide Star

Liverpool’s search for a new wide star is accelerating, and all roads are starting to point towards Yan Diomande – at least from the player’s side.

The RB Leipzig winger, fresh from a breakout season in Germany, is now “prioritising” a move to Anfield over other options, according to Liverpool reporter James William. The 19-year-old has been convinced by Andoni Iraola’s project and is described as eager to slot into the new manager’s plans.

For Liverpool, bruised by a disappointing 2025/26 campaign and facing life after Mohamed Salah, this is exactly the kind of profile they have been hunting: young, explosive, and already delivering at elite level.

A 19-year-old tearing up the Bundesliga

Diomande’s numbers in the Bundesliga last season were the sort that force big clubs to act. Twelve goals and eight assists in 33 league outings for Leipzig is a serious return for a teenager still learning the nuances of the position.

His output came with a constant threat on the ball. Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor highlighted on talkSPORT that Diomande completed 118 successful dribbles over the campaign – 50 more than any other player – underlining just how relentlessly he ran at defenders. On the big stage, he made Piero Hincapié “look ordinary”, twisting the defender “left, right and centre”.

That form has carried onto the international scene. Diomande impressed for Ivory Coast on his World Cup debut against Ecuador, adding another layer of urgency for clubs who know his value will only rise.

Liverpool are not alone in that realisation. Paris Saint-Germain, with their own constant churn of attacking options, are in the race and remain a powerful draw for any young forward.

Liverpool push, PSG lurk

Reports earlier in the week suggested Liverpool were “pushing” hard to get Diomande in early, with Ivory Coast’s manager even telling reporters he had heard the winger was heading to Anfield this summer.

William’s latest update on X strengthened that sense of momentum: Liverpool have “made progress” in talks and the player is “now prioritising” a move to Merseyside. The message is clear – Diomande wants Liverpool.

But wanting a player and landing him are very different things in the current market.

Agbonlahor believes PSG’s pulling power could still tilt the deal. In his view, the French champions’ current trajectory and financial muscle make them favourites to secure the 19-year-old, even if Liverpool have laid down strong groundwork.

The Barcola alternative

If that happens, Agbonlahor expects a domino effect. He tips Liverpool to move for PSG winger Bradley Barcola, rated at around £80m, if Diomande ends up in Paris.

“I think he goes to PSG because of the way they’re performing at the moment and PSG will let Barcola go to Liverpool because they don’t need that many wingers,” Agbonlahor said.

His assessment is blunt. Diomande, he argues, “would 100 per cent get straight in the team” and “it looks like he would score more goals than Barcola”, who he claims “likes to miss a lot of chances”. For Agbonlahor, the upside on Diomande is obvious – and that’s exactly why PSG will want him.

He framed the potential deal as a high-stakes gamble, likening it to Manchester United’s move for Jadon Sancho, who cost £75m and never truly ignited at Old Trafford. When you pay that kind of fee for a 19-year-old, the ceiling is enormous. So is the risk.

Yet in Agbonlahor’s eyes, Liverpool will not walk away empty-handed: “Either way, Liverpool will get one of the two players but PSG will want the 19-year-old.”

For Iraola and Liverpool’s recruitment team, the equation is stark. Diomande looks like the cleaner fit for a side trying to reshape its attack around pace, pressing and direct running from wide areas. Barcola, talented but more erratic in front of goal, would represent a different kind of project.

The market is moving. Diomande has made his preference known. Now the question is simple: can Liverpool turn that intent into a signature before PSG change the script?