Yan Diomande is now seen as the No1 target to replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.
Given their struggles out wide this season the Premier League champions are crying out for additional one-v-one quality.
And following his rapid rise in the Bundesliga this season with RB Leipzig the 19-year-old Ivorian has elbowed his way to the top of Liverpool’s list.
Diomande signed for the Red Bulls from Leganes in summer 2025 for only £18m but is already being discussed as a potential nine-figure transfer.
Leipzig remain in total control of the winger’s destiny – with a long-term contract secured until 2030.
Indeed don’t rule out the possibility of Diomande signing a new deal with a bumper payrise as Red Bull plot to cash in even bigger on their top talent.
On Friday the German side beat Union Berlin, 3-1, in the Bundesliga with Diomande grabbing an assist. Oliver Mintzlaff – the former CEO of RB Leipzig and now CEO of Corporate Projects and New Investments of Red Bull – spoke to Sky during the broadcast.
Diomande won't be sold easily
And he had a big warning to Liverpool and indeed every other club interested in Diomande this summer. According to Mintzlaff the young African superstar won’t be going anywhere.
"I can say: If I were sporting director, I wouldn't sell this young player, who hasn't even completed a full season with us,” the Red Bull exec disclosed as per BILD.
“No matter what price is being asked. I believe he's a player who can still develop further, because he's still very young. And he can certainly become more expensive.
“Of course, there are other clubs where players also want to take the next step – FC Bayern is one of them, but also clubs from England and Spain.
“But we have to expect that a player, even if he delivers outstanding performances here, doesn't leave again after just one year.
"Therefore, I can only recommend to the management that they keep this player with us for the coming season. And then we'll have to see how he develops.”
Leipzig want to see Diomande in the Champions League
Leipzig have got big plans to return to Champions League football for next season and they believe it will provide a shop window for Diomande.
“We want to play in the Champions League,” Mintzlaff said.
“And that's naturally an argument for such a young player, to then deliver what he's shown in a second season and potentially develop further – also at an international level.
“So we have many good arguments. And the best argument is a long-term contract. Therefore, I'm completely relaxed about the whole matter.”
