Liverpool’s ambitious pursuit of teenage winger Yan Diomande has hit an early obstacle after RB Leipzig rejected their opening offer worth close to €100 million.
Sky Sports reporter Philipp Hinze confirmed the bid consisted of a guaranteed €90 million fee plus €10 million in performance-related add-ons.
Leipzig responded swiftly by dismissing the proposal, making clear the offer falls well short of their asking price for the highly rated youngster.
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has identified Diomande as the ideal long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, who departed Anfield at the end of last season.
The Reds have already held background talks over the player’s personal terms and expect no complications on Diomande’s side, should a deal with Leipzig be reached.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed Leipzig are holding out for a fee much closer to €120 million, and could push that figure even higher depending on the teenager’s performances at the 2026 World Cup with the Ivory Coast.
Leipzig are also determined to retain the reigning Bundesliga Rookie of the Season for at least another season and have plans in place to hand him an improved contract with a substantial salary increase.
Romano also reported that Leipzig fully expect PSG and other elite European clubs to enter the race, potentially sparking a high-stakes multi-club bidding war for the young Ivorian.
Despite the rejection, Sky Germany reports that Liverpool are not backing down and intend to return soon with an improved offer designed to test Leipzig’s resolve.
Following recent major acquisitions including Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, Liverpool have now broken their transfer record twice under sporting director Richard Hughes, and another record bid could be on the horizon.
The pursuit of Diomande signals an extraordinary level of ambition from Liverpool, with the club seemingly prepared to invest heavily again to secure their top attacking target this summer.
Whether Leipzig can hold firm against Liverpool’s financial firepower, and potential competition from PSG, promises to be one of the most compelling transfer sagas of the summer window.
