Yan Diomande has made Paris Saint Germain his preferred next club if he leaves RB Leipzig, and that leaves Liverpool chasing a winger who now looks more likely to head to Paris. The 19-year-old’s market has moved quickly after a productive season and a rejected offer from the Reds.

Leipzig's rejected offer

Liverpool have already tested Leipzig with a €100million (£86.8m) package for Diomande, and the Bundesliga club turned it down while holding out for €130m. That is the kind of fee that forces a club to be sure, and it also explains why this move was never going to be straightforward.

Diomande’s stock is not hard to understand. He finished last season with 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 games across competitions, a strong return for a 19-year-old winger. He has also made 3 World Cup appearances, which keeps him in the shop window while the summer race develops.

Why PSG now have the edge

The clearest reason Liverpool are losing ground is Diomande’s own preference. The Athletic reported that he has chosen Paris Saint Germain as his next club if he leaves Leipzig this summer, and he has spoken openly about his affection for them. “Paris Saint-Germain is a team I've loved since I was little,” Diomande said. “Yes [I would like to play with them one day], I like them a lot, I like them a lot.”

He was also direct about why Paris appeals. “It's a team I admire as a football fan. But I'm not thinking about the future. I'm staying focused on the World Cup and then we'll see what happens,” he said. In another interview, he added that it would be a pleasure to play for one of the biggest clubs and that adapting in France would not be difficult.

Liverpool can still stay in the conversation, but this has shifted from a straightforward pursuit into a fight against preference, price and timing. Leipzig are trying to tie him down to a new deal, his current contract runs to 2030, and the asking price will not make the negotiation any easier. For now, PSG look to be the destination Diomande is leaning toward, not Anfield.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →