Liverpool Tracking Leipzig's Diomande as Winger Hunt Hots Up

Liverpool have Yan Diomande firmly on their watchlist as they prepare for a significant recruitment drive in the wide areas come summer, with the RB Leipzig winger's performances catching the eye at Anfield.

The Reds are on the hunt for fresh attacking talent heading into next season, whether or not Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah remain at the club. Arne Slot appears reluctant to rely solely on academy prospect Rio Ngumoha or veteran Federico Chiesa, signalling that reinforcements are very much on the agenda.

Diomande, the Ivory Coast international, has been making waves in the Bundesliga with eight goals and four assists across 22 appearances this campaign. The 19-year-old has become a fixture on Liverpool's scouting reports, according to journalist David Lynch, who has covered the club extensively over many years.

"Diomande is definitely being watched really closely," Lynch told Anfield Index. "That's not to guarantee they will go for him, but he's definitely on Liverpool's radar, but he's on the radar of a lot of clubs."

Lynch went on to suggest that Liverpool's recruitment philosophy has shifted, with the club willing to move for younger talent earlier than they might have done previously. "A few years ago you'd say he's only 19, he's not got very many games behind him at all, not a big record of production but Liverpool kind of have to move earlier now because everybody else is moving earlier," he explained.

"I can guarantee that he's definitely being watched. The wing position is something Liverpool are eyeing now, I'd be surprised if next summer passes without a winger being added."

However, any potential deal faces complications. Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri revealed this week that Liverpool are currently holding back on formal negotiations due to a contractual tangle. Diomande remains bound to his former agency through December 2027 under a contract registered with the English FA, while his image rights are also tied up with that same outfit.

"Yan Diomande is also reported to have assigned his image rights to his former agency — a fundamental prerequisite, without which it is impossible to negotiate his contract with LFC," Tavolieri wrote. "A deadlock that is forcing Liverpool to wait until the personal situation is resolved before moving forward."

For his part, Diomande is keen to keep his head down and focus on his performances at Leipzig for the remainder of the season. Speaking to Goal earlier this year, the winger stressed his desire to maintain concentration amid the swirling speculation.

"I'm trying to stay concentrated and listen to the coaching staff and to play my own game," Diomande said. "People can see everything is going well, so I'm not gonna stop. My friends try to send it to me, but I try to stay focused and calm. For me, it was gonna take like, two or three years. I'm working hard as well, and I'm happy, like everything happens so quickly, and I hope to keep going until the season ends."