RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande rejects Liverpool for PSG

Liverpool have suffered a major setback in their pursuit of RB Leipzig’s teenage sensation Yan Diomande.

According to The Athletic, Diomande has rejected the Reds after deciding that Paris Saint-Germain is his preferred destination should he leave Germany this summer.

The 19-year-old has been convinced by PSG’s project under president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and football advisor Luis Campos.

Also, the prospect of working under manager Luis Enrique has played a decisive role in his thinking.

The Ivory Coast international believes a move to the Ligue 1 champions would offer him the best platform to challenge for major honours and fulfil his ambition of winning the Ballon d’Or.

Liverpool were prepared to table an offer worth close to €100 million (£86.8m) for the highly-rated attacker, but Leipzig rejected that proposal.

The Bundesliga club values Diomande closer to €130m and is still trying to convince him to sign a new contract despite his current deal already running until 2030.

Diomande joined Leipzig from Leganes only last summer and enjoyed a stunning breakthrough campaign, scoring 12 Bundesliga goals and providing nine assists in 33 appearances.

The versatile forward, capable of playing on either flank, is currently representing the Ivory Coast at the World Cup and is expected to feature against Norway in the round of 32 on Tuesday.

Should Liverpool officially abandon their pursuit, sporting director Richard Hughes already has several exciting alternatives on his shortlist.

PSG’s Bradley Barcola is an intriguing option despite now predominantly featuring on the left. He enjoyed his formative breakthrough years as a right winger.

Brighton & Hove Albion star Yankuba Minteh is another player Liverpool admire. The explosive forward has a profile similar to Mohamed Salah.

The Reds are also monitoring Lille’s versatile Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who can operate across the frontline and has emerged as one of Europe’s most promising young forwards.

With Diomande seemingly heading to Paris, Liverpool’s recruitment team will now intensify efforts to identify the ideal alternative before the transfer window closes.