Journalist: Liverpool expected to make an offer to sign £87m forward

Liverpool Weigh Up Diomande Gamble After Insider Update

Liverpool’s recruitment radar has once again locked onto Germany, with fresh reporting from CF Bayern Insider suggesting that RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande could be the subject of a significant bid within weeks. The 19-year-old has already been touted as one of Europe’s fastest emerging wide players, and the suggestion that a deal north of £87m might be required has sparked plenty of debate among supporters.

According to Christian Falk, the Red Bull hierarchy are in no mood to compromise on their valuation. He wrote: ‘Oliver Mintzlaff, a managing director at Red Bull, has been very clear about how much money they’d be looking to get for Diomande. He said, “We won’t sell him for €80m [£69.5m], we won’t sell him for €90m [£78m]” – which means they’ll just try to sell him for over €100m [£87m].

‘There are rumours that Liverpool are thinking about such a deal and that there will be an offer in the next month of this range. What I can say for sure is that €100m is too expensive for FC Bayern for a player who would not yet be in the starting XI.’

This effectively rules Bayern out of the race, leaving Liverpool as one of the few clubs capable and perhaps willing to entertain such numbers.

Photo: IMAGO

Diomande Profile Fits Slot Blueprint

Diomande’s appeal is obvious. Leipzig have built a reputation for developing explosive attackers, and the Ivory Coast international fits that mould perfectly. His Bundesliga profile describes ‘quick feet and pace to burn’, while Marcel Schafer has praised his ‘outstanding speed’. For a Liverpool side that has lacked consistent penetration from wide areas this season, that kind of profile feels deliberately targeted.

Statistically, Diomande already looks elite in several categories. He ranks in the top percentile for successful dribbles and touches in the opposition penalty area, alongside impressive defensive metrics like recoveries and duels won. Seven goals and four assists at his age in a high tempo league underlines that this is not simply raw speed, there is tangible end product too.

January Timing Raises Questions

Despite the noise, the timing remains a major talking point. Gregg Evans recently suggested that Liverpool would stay ‘quiet’ in January unless a unique opportunity emerged. A £87m teenager hardly feels quiet. Any deal would need to be accelerated dramatically, especially with Leipzig still fighting on multiple fronts this season.

However, Bayern stepping aside could simplify negotiations. Leipzig are known sellers at the right price, and Liverpool’s financial model is built around investing in peak age assets with resale potential. Diomande ticks both boxes, even if the upfront fee feels eye watering.

Long Term Investment or Risky Overreach

The key issue is whether Diomande would arrive as an immediate starter. Falk himself admitted he would not yet make Bayern’s first XI, and similar logic applies at Anfield. Paying close to nine figures for a rotational option is a difficult sell, even in today’s inflated market.

Yet Liverpool have historically thrived by buying players before they fully explode. If Diomande continues on his current trajectory, his valuation could easily surpass this figure within two seasons. In that sense, this feels less like a gamble and more like a calculated long term bet on elite athleticism and modern winger profiles.

Credit for the original reporting goes to CF Bayern Insider, whose insight has once again driven serious discussion around Liverpool’s next major move.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this rumour feels both exciting and slightly alarming. Diomande looks like the sort of player you would love to watch at Anfield, fast, fearless, and capable of terrorising full backs. After a disappointing title defence and sitting fourth in the table, the idea of injecting genuine pace and unpredictability into the squad is appealing.

That said, £87m for a 19 year old is a massive commitment, especially when there are other areas that still feel undercooked. The midfield rebuild has largely settled, but the forward line lacks consistency beyond Mohamed Salah. If Diomande arrives and needs time to adapt, patience will wear thin quickly.

Arne Slot has shown he can integrate young players intelligently, but this feels like a statement signing that demands immediate impact. The risk is not Diomande’s talent, it is the expectation that comes with the fee. If Liverpool are serious, this needs to be part of a wider attacking refresh, not a standalone splash.

Ultimately, this rumour suggests ambition has not disappeared at Anfield, even after mixed league form. Whether that ambition translates into smart spending or emotional recruitment remains to be seen.