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RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Egypt captain Mohamed Salah this summer.
Salah confirmed he will leave just 12 months into his two-year contract, departing as the club’s third-highest goalscorer with 257 goals, behind Roger Hunt and Ian Rush.
He has clinched two Premier League titles, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, as well as two League Cups and the 2022 FA Cup.
Diomande has strengthened his growing reputation with 12 Bundesliga goals this season, including a standout solo strike against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Diomande’s form places him among elite company, becoming the first player of his age to hit that mark since Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho did so for Borussia Dortmund in 2019/20.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, talks are ongoing with the player’s representatives at Roc Nation Sports, but no agreement has been reached and club-to-club discussions have not started.
Plettenberg posted on X: “Yan #Diomande is now Liverpool’s top target to replace Mo Salah, with the move approved by all #LFC decision-makers. Concrete talks are ongoing with his new representatives at Roc Nation Sports, although no agreement has been reached yet and the clubs have not entered negotiations.
“RB Leipzig are keen to adjust his salary and extend his contract. PSG, led by Luis Campos, are also in the race and have already held a meeting with his agents.”
Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Yan Diomande and have already held talks with his representatives, as well as those of Gabriel Martinelli.
RB Leipzig would prefer to keep Diomande for another season, though they could be tempted to sell for the right price. A fee exceeding €100million has been suggested for the winger, who joined from Leganés for €20million last summer.
Diomande has racked up 32 appearances, netted 13 times, and registered eight assists for RB Leipzig across all competitions this season. He has said interest from Liverpool and other top clubs is giving him “more motivation to work.”
“I’m here, and first and foremost, I’m healthy and working hard every day. Hearing these rumours about big clubs like PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool, and others interested in me gives me even more motivation to work. I keep smiling, stay upbeat, and keep pushing forward,” the Ivory Coast international said.
“My job is on the pitch, and I’m fully committed to my current club. As for the rest, I have a team that takes care of everything; I don’t stress about it. I play for Leipzig and enjoy it.”
