Liverpool have submitted a formal offer worth around £86 million to RB Leipzig to sign Ivorian international winger Yan Diomande, according to journalist Philipp Hinze.
The Merseyside club have been locked in a relentless pursuit of new wide options this summer, with reports suggesting they are targeting up to two new wingers before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool have already made one significant addition on the wing, securing two-cap Spanish international Victor Muñoz on a permanent deal from Osasuna, trumping Newcastle United in the process.
Diomande has emerged as the primary target for the second wide position, having taken European football by storm across the past season with RB Leipzig.
The versatile forward was described as “outstanding” by Leipzig director Marcel Schäfer and racked up an impressive 13 goals and 10 assists since joining from Spanish second division side CD Leganés last July.
Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari had previously reported that Liverpool were “making the most progress” in talks to sign Diomande, setting the stage for this formal approach.
Sky Sport Germany’s Philipp Hinze now reports that Liverpool’s first formal offer is structured at approximately £78 million as a fixed fee with a further £8 million in add-ons, totalling around £86 million.
Despite the substantial offer, Leipzig are expected to reject the bid, with the German club deeming it insufficient and preferring to retain Diomande for another season unless bids comfortably exceed that figure.
Liverpool are not expected to walk away from the chase, with Andoni Iraola’s side already familiar with Diomande’s personal terms and set to submit a second, improved formal offer.
Diomande’s quality has already been showcased on the international stage, where he outperformed Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié as Ivory Coast secured a 1-0 victory, leading the game for touches inside the opposition box with 12 and chances created with five.
His individual performance in that match was further highlighted by four completed dribbles, three crosses delivered, and an impressive return of 11 ground duels won from 15 contested.
Should Leipzig eventually accept an improved offer, Diomande would hand Iraola a potent and dynamic attacking option to strengthen Liverpool’s title ambitions for the season ahead.