Yan Diomande has been one of the most exciting names linked with Liverpool this summer, but his latest comments suggest the Reds may not be his dream move after all.
The RB Leipzig winger has been heavily discussed as a possible Mohamed Salah replacement, with Liverpool and PSG both pushing hard before the World Cup.
There has also been uncertainty over whether Leipzig will even sell, with figures at the Red Bull group said to believe he could stay and sign a new deal. But if Diomande does move, Liverpool might not be his preference after all.
Rate Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool appointment! Would any other manager have been a better pick?
PSG comments leave Liverpool with mixed messages over Yan Diomande
The situation around Diomande is complicated because Liverpool and PSG both appear to be offering a clear pathway. The Reds can point to the huge attacking vacancy left by Salah, while PSG are also pitching a right-sided role to the 19-year-old.
That’s extra relevant because Bradley Barcola is another top Liverpool target. If PSG miss out on Diomande, they may be even less willing to let Barcola go, which leaves Liverpool needing one of those dominoes to fall in their favour.
For a while, it looked as though Liverpool might have the emotional edge. Diomande made a surprise Anfield admission during a livestream back in January.
He said: “I want to play at Anfield, I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a big Liverpool fan. My father’s dream is to see me play for Liverpool.”
Who would you rather see at Liverpool next season, Diomande or Barcola? 🤔
One of the most exciting teens in Europe vs a Champions League winner…
Liverpool need a new right winger, Diomande is one of the best young wide players in Europe, and a boyhood connection to the club would usually be seen as a major advantage.
But the message now feels less significant.
Asked by L’Équipe about PSG’s interest, Diomande said: “It’s a team I’ve loved since I was little, but I’m not thinking about the future, I’m staying focused on the World Cup, we’ll see what happens after that.”
That is not a rejection of Liverpool, and it is not a promise to PSG. But it does show the French champions have a personal pull of their own, which makes the race far less straightforward than it once looked.
At the moment, the ball is in the teenager’s court. Liverpool clearly have a strong sporting pitch, but Diomande now looks like a player weighing up more than one emotional option before making his next move.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
