Yan Diomande Eyes Liverpool Transfer: Klopp's Target Speaks Out

With RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande already making clear his dream of moving to Liverpool, the club’s sporting director has revealed Jurgen Klopp‘s input. Diomande, the 19-year-old winger, made headlines earlier this month when previous comments on his desire to play for Liverpool resurfaced. “I want to play at Anfield. I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a big fan of Liverpool,” he told followers on a TikTok live stream in November. He described it as his “father’s dream” for him to represent the club, adding that “my father’s dream is a dream for me too.” Liverpool are among the clubs credited with an interest in the Ivory Coast international over a future transfer worth as much as €100 million (£86.7m), and Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer has revealed Klopp’s input in his signing. “It was a huge amount given where the player was at the time, but we knew he was our No. 1 favourite,” he told reporters including Bulinews‘ Rune Gjerulff of their €20 million deal with Leganes last summer. “We wanted the player, even if we had to pay a little more than many expected. We didn’t care, because it was an ideal situation. “We were even in touch with [Red Bull’s head of global soccer] Jurgen Klopp and [technical director] Mario Gomez, who saw the data and video clips, and everybody said ‘go, go, go!’.” While Schafer insisted that “everyone is sitting in the back seat” when it comes to a possible deal with Leipzig for their No. 49, Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff admitted a sale is likely in the future. Leipzig rule out Yan Diomande sale – at least until 2027 “As chairman of the supervisory board, I would say he will definitely be with us next season – even if there were an offer of €80 million or €90 million,” Mintzlaff told Sky Germany, per Bulinews. “You simply can’t let go of such a young player, whom we just signed, after only one year. “He’s extremely young and playing his first Bundesliga season. We’ve worked to ensure that players can stay a bit longer.” Mintzlaff added: “The truth is that, while we are a very ambitious Bundesliga club, there are also other top clubs. “In the past, we have repeatedly had to let good players go – partly to generate transfer revenue, and partly because they were ready to take the next step in their careers.” Liverpool have been linked with a number of young wingers in recent weeks but Diomande stands out as a high-level candidate, having already scored seven goals and laid on four assists in 18 games for Leipzig this season.