Liverpool sent Yan Diomande warning by expert after what 'top source' told him
Liverpool have been told not to give into RB Leipzig's demands for Yan Diomande purely because he has impressed at the World Cup this summer.
Diomande is firmly on the Reds' radar as they aim to back new boss Andoni Iraola in the market ahead of his first season in charge at Anfield.
Leipzig knocked back an initial approach from the Anfield club last week that was worth around £90million in total.
The 19-year-old was extremely impressive for Leipzig last season as he registered 12 goals and eight assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances.
His fine form has continued at the World Cup, with two stellar displays for Ivory Coast so far as they look set to progress to the round of 32 stage.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that, after their first bid for his services was rejected, Liverpool must be wary of his price tag rising sharply based on what happens in North America.
Liverpool told not to cave to lofty Yan Diomande price tag after World Cup displays
Diomande created five chances and won 11 ground duels in the Ivorians' opening 1-0 win against Ecuador, then fashioned another two chances and completed four dribbles in a 2-1 defeat to Germany.
He is clearly highly rated by the Reds, but they have been warned against matching Leipzig's demands based on what he does at the World Cup.
“The World Cup is difficult...people will be watching, but a top source who'd been in the game an awful long time once said to me, 'never buy a player off the back of a tournament,' Brown exclusively told Football Insider.
“Players can go there and suddenly look better than they've ever done before.
“I'll go back to when I was at Coventry, we had Phil Babb in the American World Cup in 1994. Every day, his value probably went up.
“Phil was a decent player, but it was Liverpool who wanted him on the basis of what he was doing in the World Cup.
“And it always stuck with me that, being told never to buy a player off the back of a tournament.”
Which alternatives to Diomande have Liverpool explored?
Liverpool are still focusing on signing Diomande, but could look elsewhere if Leipzig stand firm against their second bid.
They may actually target another Leipzig player, with sources telling Football Insider that Liverpool admire Antonio Nusa too.
Nusa could be targeted as an alternative to Diomande after registering five goals and four assists in 35 appearances last season, with other positions then likely to receive more attention and funds put towards new signings.