Liverpool and Man United in race to sign ‘£80m’ star after January move was blocked
Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea are each keeping tabs on Yan Diomande’s progress at RB Leipzig after Tottenham were priced out of a move to sign him in January.
19-year-old Diomande has registered eight goals and five assists in 21 appearances for Leipzig this season following a summer move from Spanish side Leganes.
He has been one of the biggest surprise packages in Europe so far this term, after he only became a first-team regular for the La Liga side last March and debuted for the Ivory Coast in October.
Football Insider recently revealed that Tottenham are keen admirers of Diomande and could look to sign him in the summer window.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, they are one of several top Premier League sides who could move to sign Diomande in the summer window.
Liverpool and Man United register their interest in Diomande
Diomande has attracted attention from a whole host of top clubs, but January was deemed too soon for him to leave Leipzig after just six months in the Bundesliga.
Liverpool have reportedly scouted Diomande already this season, and they are among other Premier League teams, alongside Spurs, who could look to sign him ahead of next term.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “I think he’s going be one of the most sought-after players, probably, in the summer transfer window.
“I think it was just too early for him to move in the January transfer window, and his price tag was probably prohibitive for a number of clubs...RB Leipzig were looking around £80million plus for him.
“You’ve got the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich all interested as well (as Spurs).
“So he’s going to have a lot of options, Diomande, and he is going to be one to watch for sure in the summer.“
Man United could sign Jean-Philippe Mateta after internal talks
United are set for a busy summer following the end of this season, with a decision set to be made on whether they pursue a move for Mateta, potentially alongside Diomande.
The Crystal Palace striker saw his move to AC Milan collapse in the final hours of Deadline Day, but is widely expected to depart Selhurst Park this summer when his contract expires.
Football Insider exclusively revealed in December that Man United are interested in Mateta, with their interest long-standing after having considered a summer move.
Sources have now told Football Insider that United chiefs have discussed a move for Mateta, and so he could be lining up at Old Trafford next season next to Diomande in attack.