Liverpool are ‘optimistic’ of getting a deal for Yan Diomande over the line despite strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain, says journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Reds have made Diomande their top target to fill the void left by the exit of Mohamed Salah, and despite wrapping up a move for Victor Munoz on Thursday, remain in the market for a right winger.
Diomande is currently at the World Cup with the Ivory Coast, but just as Munoz is on duty with Spain, Jacobs says that this will not prevent a quick deal being rubber-stamped, with the RB Leipzig man currently prioritising a move to the Premier League and Liverpool.
How excited are you by Liverpool’s surprise signing of Victor Munoz?
And what do you think his role will be next season? Is he an immediate starter?
Diomande prioritising the Premier League
Liverpool’s wings clearly needed a revamp this summer, and having got Munoz through the door nice and early, Diomande is the one they want to follow him on the opposite side of the pitch.
Though there had seemingly been hope of an agreement being reached before the World Cup started, that ultimately did not happen, leading to concerns that Liverpool may have missed their chance to snatch Diomande amid growing competition.
But speaking to TalkSPORT from Seattle on Thursday morning, Jacobs says that that is not the case, with the Reds still hopeful of beating PSG and concluding a deal while the World Cup progresses.
“My understanding at the time of recording is that Liverpool are optimistic that Yan Diomande can get over the line,” said the journalist. “They have that player buy-in, even though PSG are there as well and not to be discounted. Liverpool are prepared to move quickly and even though Yan Diomande is currently busy with the Ivory Coast – he was man of the match in their opening game – there is a distinct possibility that this is another deal that gets done during the World Cup.
“Leipzig are still waiting for a formal answer as to whether Diomande wants to extend and leave in 2027 or go now. They are stalling, delaying, trying to ward off the market until they get an answer from Diomande. But Liverpool are prepared to put serious money down and they are in negotiations with Leipzig, not just on the player side and this could move very quickly.
“Naturally, from PSG’s perspective, they also want to add Diomande and would be prepared to move fast as well,” Jacobs added.
“But it’s leaning towards the player wanting to move to the Premier League and then if Liverpool can agree that package with RB Leipzig, this could be a deal that gets completed during the World Cup too. It’s Liverpool vs PSG for Yan Diomande and there is optimism from Liverpool.”
After beating Ecuador in their opening fixture, Ivory Coast next face Germany, when Diomande will come up against possible future Liverpool teammate Florian Wirtz in Toronto on Saturday evening. By the sound of things, his move to Anfield could already be further along by the time he comes face-to-face with Wirtz.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
