Yan Diomande is one of the most interesting names in European football right now, and Liverpool may already be holding the cards to sign him. Twelve goals and six assists in the Bundesliga this season have put the RB Leipzig winger on the radar of clubs across the continent — Liverpool and Manchester United among them.
The problem is Leipzig won't sell cheap. Diomande has four years left on his contract, which means any club coming in will need either deep pockets or a creative structure. Liverpool might have both.
Elliott's failed Villa spell could become Liverpool's unlikely asset
Harvey Elliott's loan at Aston Villa has been a quiet disaster — four Premier League appearances all season, barely a mention in team sheets that were supposed to showcase him. The deal was supposed to rejuvenate a career that had stalled at Anfield. Instead, it's done the opposite.
But here's where it gets interesting. Before Villa entered the picture, RB Leipzig were actively pursuing Elliott. They baulked at Liverpool's asking price and eventually walked away, reportedly unwilling to go beyond £20 million. That interest didn't evaporate — it just went cold.
Liverpool can warm it back up. Elliott returning from Villa this summer gives them a negotiating chip with Leipzig that no other club chasing Diomande possesses. A part-exchange structure could significantly reduce the cash outlay on a player who, at his peak, is a genuine difference-maker.
The Klopp factor is real
There's another angle here that shouldn't be underestimated. Jurgen Klopp now serves as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, a role that directly encompasses RB Leipzig's transfer operations. He managed Elliott. He knows exactly what the player offers and can advocate for him internally in ways no agent or intermediary can replicate.
More critically, Klopp's previous relationship with Liverpool — six years, six European finals, one Champions League — gives him genuine pull with players weighing up their next move. If Diomande is deciding between Anfield and Old Trafford, a phone call from the man who built the modern Liverpool carries weight.
- Diomande: 12 goals, 6 assists in the Bundesliga this season
- Elliott: just 4 Premier League appearances on loan at Aston Villa
- RB Leipzig's previous Elliott bid: reportedly around £20 million
- Diomande's contract: four years remaining at Leipzig
Liverpool also have a pressing need to reinforce the attack. Mohamed Salah is leaving, and Hugo Ekitike's return from injury isn't expected until the new year. Diomande at 20-something, with those numbers, fits exactly the profile Arne Slot needs to rebuild the front line.
The pieces are there. Elliott's stock is low enough that Leipzig might finally get him at a price they're comfortable with — and Liverpool get a winger who's been one of the Bundesliga's standout performers. Manchester United, unless they have a comparable sweetener, are essentially bringing cash to a chess match.
