Liverpool have suffered a transfer blow after Yan Diomande made the decision to prioritise a move to PSG if he leaves RB Leipzig.
Diomande, 19, is one of the most sought after players in Europe this summer following a stunning breakthrough season in Germany where he scored 13 goals and added 10 assists.
The Ivory Coast winger was one of Liverpool’s top targets in the window and the Reds outlined their intention to spend up to €100million (£86m) on him last week, and had a bid rejected.
However, reports in France have now claimed that Diomande prefers a move to PSG if he does depart the Red Bull Arena over the next few months.
The 19-year-old is said to be hugely enticed by the PSG project and is keen to play under Luis Enrique.
He is also believed to view a move to Paris as ideal for his prospects of winning trophies and competing for the Ballon d’Or in the future.
Yan Diomande has made the decision to prioritise a move to PSG if he leaves RB Leipzig
Ivory Coast winger Diomande, 19, had been one of Liverpool’s top targets this summer
It is not certain that Diomande will depart Leipzig this summer given the club want around €130m (£112m) for him.
They are also trying to tie him down to a new contract even though his current deal runs until 2030.
The decision from Diomande to snub Liverpool in favour of PSG may help Liverpool in another way though.
Andoni Iraola’s side have been assessing a number of options in wide positions after they added Victor Munoz from Osasuna last week, and Daily Mail Sport has previously reported the Reds’ interest in PSG star Bradley Barcola.
If Diomande does arrive in Paris, it would push Barcola down the pecking order at the club and potentially increase the likelihood of a departure.
Cologne’s Said El Mala has also been linked with Liverpool, while Matias Fernandez-Pardo of Lille and Belgium is another name that has done the rounds and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh is liked.
Publicly, Leipzig are saying Diomande is not for sale at any price – and want him to sign a new deal with a release clause – but there is an understanding internally that they most likely will be forced to let him go this summer.
The winger is currently at the World Cup with Ivory Coast and impressed as they progressed through the group stage.
He is likely to play a key role when they take on Norway on Tuesday evening.
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