Liverpool will have to reassess their transfer plans out wide after Yan Diomande made his summer intentions clear.
The RB Leipzig forward has emerged as one of the leading candidates to eventually replace Mohamed Salah, with the 19-year-old already looking like one of the best young attackers in Europe.
Liverpool have been linked heavily with Diomande, and it is easy to see why. His pace, one-vs-one ability and explosiveness make him exactly the kind of player the Reds should be tracking.
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But after Leipzig secured Champions League qualification, it now sounds like the teenager has little interest in going anywhere this summer.
Yan Diomande commits future to RB Leipzig amid Liverpool interest
For a while, Diomande was one of the standout names on Liverpool’s shortlist to replace Salah.
Bayern Munich have also been credited with interest, but the Reds looked to be right in the mix as they search for a long-term answer to the Egyptian’s looming departure. That chase has now taken a significant hit.
Speaking to Kicker, via GOAL, Diomande was asked whether he would remain at Leipzig next season and gave a simple answer.
“Yes,” he said.
The Ivorian was then asked about interest from elsewhere, responding: “I’m not thinking about that right now. I’m in Leipzig and I enjoy playing here.”
Champions League football appears to have been a major factor in that stance.
Diomande is one of the best teenagers in Europe, who has already produced 23 goal contributions in 36 games for Leipzig and established himself on the international stage. Players like that do not appear on the market very often.
Liverpool have already seen Michael Olise move beyond reach, and now Diomande looks like another obvious Salah replacement who may be off the table.
The problem is that there are not many players with any hope of filling those boots. Arne Slot needs pace, output, creativity and consistency from whoever comes next on the right. Diomande looked like he ticked most of those boxes.
Now, Liverpool have to go back to the drawing board.
- READ MORE: Liverpool can target Premier League club for two top signings and their manager this summer
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