Updated: 24 Apr 2026 17:28 BST |
4 min read
Manchester United have outlined their summer priorities amid strong interest in RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, who is also being chased by rivals Liverpool.
The Ivorian wonderkid has been one of the biggest revelations of the season. When he joined RB Leipzig from second-tier Spanish side Leganes in a sizeable €20 million deal last summer, it was seen as a major risk.
However, it quickly became clear that it was a gamble that would pay off handsomely. The 19-year-old’s insatiable attacking drive saw him hit like a bomb in the Bundesliga.
He has scored 13 goals across all competitions this season, while also providing eight assists. Additionally, he has become a full-fledged Ivory Coast international and is expected to star for his country at the World Cup.
His future has been a hotly discussed topic for months. RB Leipzig are hoping to convince him to stay for another season by handing him an improved contract, as they did with Benjamin Sesko in 2024, while numerous European giants are in talks with his agency, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.
Man Utd are doing Liverpool a favour in Diomande race
Clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd and PSG have all been strongly linked with Diomande in recent months. The player previously said that he dreams of playing at Anfield, but he later backpedalled and insisted that his father is a huge Reds fan, not him.
Whatever the case, a potential transfer to Liverpool is starting to heat up, more so than one to Man Utd. According to BILD, the trail leading to Old Trafford has “cooled” because INEOS’ priority is the midfield.
While it is no secret that Man Utd are also planning to sign a winger, finding a suitable replacement for Casemiro takes precedence, which means that the Red Devils are not pushing as hard for Diomande as other clubs.
Liverpool and PSG have already had face-to-face meetings with representatives from Roc Nation, although Leipzig have yet to receive any kind of offers for their golden boy. The report posits that Leipzig could keep Diomande for one more year even if he is sold this summer.
It is “possible” that a club signs him and then loans him back to Leipzig. However, such a scenario only seems realistic for a club like PSG, who are already stacked offensively. Liverpool, on the other hand, desperately need wide reinforcements this summer.
Mohamed Salah is leaving the club and Cody Gakpo has come in for major criticism this season. The Reds can’t afford to spend €100 million – or more – on Diomande and then leave him in Germany for another 12 months.
The report adds that a contract extension is not currently being discussed, despite Leipzig’s overtures. Diomande will not entertain extension talks until the summer.
Yan Diomande is different class 🔥 pic.twitter.com/u8pKXRhjLe
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) April 23, 2026
Related stories:
Man Utd’s Casemiro replacement told to join as talks confirmed
Michael Carrick’s personality quirk that could stop him becoming Man Utd manager
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Baleba wants Man Utd, next Chelsea manager update, Leao latest
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
•App Store
