RB Leipzig's rising star Yan Diomande has provided clarification regarding his recent comments about Liverpool being a "dream move" for him, as several top European clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich express strong interest in the talented winger.
Clarifying the Liverpool Connection
The 19-year-old Ivorian international initially sparked transfer speculation when he stated in a TikTok video that he wanted to play at Anfield for Liverpool, describing the club as his "dream" destination. However, Diomande has since clarified that while he respects Liverpool, his father's admiration for the club primarily drove those comments.
"People made it out to be my dream club," Diomande told BILD. "But first and foremost, it's my dad's favourite club. It was always his great wish to see me there someday because he loves the atmosphere at Anfield. He always raved about Steven Gerrard. I have a lot of respect for Liverpool, but my dream club right now is Leipzig."
Impressive Bundesliga Performances
Since his €20 million (£17.4 million) transfer from Spanish club Leganes in 2025, Diomande has made a significant impact in the Bundesliga. The young winger has scored eight goals in the German top flight and ten across all competitions, including a memorable hat-trick in a 6-0 victory over Frankfurt in December.
His most recent goal came during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg, further demonstrating his growing influence within the RB Leipzig squad. The teenager's rapid development has not gone unnoticed by Europe's elite clubs, with multiple teams reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
Transfer Interest Intensifies
Sky Germany reports that Bayern Munich are "monitoring the situation closely" regarding Diomande's availability. When asked about interest from the Bundesliga giants, Diomande responded diplomatically: "It's always nice to hear something like that. But I haven't spoken to anyone from Bayern. It's not the right time for that. I'm happy here in Leipzig and want to remain fully focused."
RB Leipzig managing director Marcel Schafer has indicated the club's desire to retain their young talent beyond the current season. "It is our aim to keep players with us for longer than just one year, because otherwise you don't achieve any continuity," Schafer recently told Kicker. "Yan is a very good player, everyone knows that."
International Recognition and Alternative Paths
Diomande's talents have earned praise from Manchester United star Amad Diallo, who plays alongside the teenager for the Ivory Coast national team. During their recent Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which ended in quarter-final elimination, Diallo highlighted their strong partnership both on and off the pitch.
"We're also very close off the pitch, so that makes things easier on the pitch," Diallo explained. "And we're selfless: we don't play for ourselves, nobody tries to be man of the match. If I have the opportunity to pass to him, I pass to him; if he has the opportunity to pass to me, he passes to me."
The Road Less Traveled
Diomande's career path could have been dramatically different, as he revealed having trials with Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Rangers before making the unconventional choice to join Leganes instead of pursuing opportunities with more established clubs.
"It was a difficult time. I felt like for many people, it was all about money," Diomande told RBLive. "A lot of people told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea. Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself. Suddenly, I was faced with a choice: Leganés or Chelsea? It was risky, but luckily, it was the right decision."
The young winger emphasized the importance of patience and playing time over immediate financial gain: "I think patience is very important in football. It's not always just about money. If you play well, it will come naturally. I'm young; I need to play to increase my sporting value, to improve. And I wouldn't get that on the bench."
As the summer transfer window approaches, Diomande's clarified position regarding Liverpool combined with his impressive performances have created an intriguing transfer narrative. While multiple top clubs circle the talented teenager, RB Leipzig appears determined to retain their promising asset for the foreseeable future.
