Liverpool in talks for €100m forward deal

The 19-year-old joined Leipzig from Leganes last summer for a bargain £18m fee - inking a deal until 2030. That contract puts the Bundesliga side in total control of the Ivory Coast international’s next move amid an intense scramble for his signature.

Diomande is expected to fetch €100m in the summer transfer market if Leipzig decide to do business. Having paid a nine-figure sum for Isak and Wirtz last summer it would be a big ask for the Merseysiders to stump up that kind of money once again.

But a report in TEAMtalk claims that talks with Leipzig are underway - albeit right now at a preliminary level.

Diomande talks underway

Richard Hughes is beginning to figure out just how to put a deal for Diomande together - with the Reds likely to make up the massive fee with structured payments as well as bonuses for Leipzig.

“Diomande remains the Merseysiders’ clear priority,” the report reads.

“Negotiations with Leipzig are understood to be at an early stage, although the German club’s valuation north of €100million (£86.5m / $117.8m) presents a significant hurdle.

“Liverpool are exploring structured payments and add-ons to make a deal viable this summer.”

There are no guarantees Leipzig will sell Diomande and they originally intended to hold onto their trump card for one more year at least.

While the Germans do need to make up around €100m in sales this summer it is more likely that other players - such as Castello Lukeba and Lutsharel Geertruida will go instead.

But Liverpool at least now have a pathway in mind towards fulfilling this Diomande deal - their priority target in the summer transfer window.