Yan Diomande is one of the most wanted wingers in Europe right now, and Liverpool may have already found the smartest route to signing him — without spending full asking price.
The RB Leipzig forward has 12 goals and six assists in the Bundesliga this season. At that output, he was always going to attract serious attention. Liverpool want him. So does Manchester United. The competition is real, and Leipzig — with four years left on his contract — have no urgency to sell cheap.
Which is exactly where Harvey Elliott comes in.
Elliott's failed Villa loan changes Liverpool's hand
The loan to Aston Villa was meant to be a confidence-builder. Instead, Elliott has managed just four Premier League appearances all season. It's been a write-off. He'll return to Liverpool in the summer with less market value than he left with — unless a club with genuine interest is ready to reset that conversation.
RB Leipzig is that club. They were linked with Elliott before the Villa move was confirmed, only pulling out because Liverpool's asking price was too high. Leipzig's ceiling at the time was reportedly around £20 million. Liverpool wanted more. The deal collapsed.
Now? Liverpool's leverage on Elliott's fee has weakened, and Leipzig's interest hasn't gone away. A deal involving Elliott as part of a Diomande package suddenly makes a lot more sense for both clubs — Liverpool lower the cash outlay, Leipzig get the midfielder they've been tracking.
Klopp's shadow over the deal
There's another layer here that doesn't get enough attention. Jurgen Klopp is currently Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, a role that includes influence over RB Leipzig's transfer decisions. He knows Elliott better than almost anyone in football. He also knows what Anfield offers a young player still finding himself.
Whether Klopp acts as a bridge, a persuader, or simply a voice of credibility in the background, his presence in the Red Bull structure gives Liverpool a quiet edge that no other club chasing Diomande can replicate.
The urgency for Liverpool is obvious. Mohamed Salah is leaving. Hugo Ekitike's return from injury won't come before the new year at the earliest. The attack needs rebuilding, not patching.
- Diomande: 12 goals, 6 assists in the Bundesliga this season
- Elliott: just 4 Premier League appearances on loan at Aston Villa
- Leipzig's previous Elliott bid: approximately £20 million
- Diomande contract: four years remaining at RB Leipzig
Liverpool hold a card in Elliott that most clubs in this race don't. Using it smartly — alongside Klopp's back-channel influence — could be what separates them from United when the summer window opens.
