According to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are expected to push forward with a move for Yann Diomande next week, with the RB Leipzig winger also keen to settle his future before the World Cup gets under way. For a Liverpool side in rebuild mode, this is not merely a summer transfer-window signing but something closer to a clear statement on the flanks before new head coach Andoni Iraola takes charge.
From Slot's exit to the managerial changeover
Last season under Arne Slot, Liverpool endured a noticeably slowing Premier League campaign, finishing fifth and parting ways with Slot as expectations at Anfield (capacity 61,276) were dragged back to earth. Widespread reports point to Andoni Iraola being lined up as Liverpool's next head coach; discussing Diomande at this juncture matters because the Reds need to strengthen in the summer window and also need their new manager's first signing to land quickly, giving the dressing room and supporters a tangible starting point.
Player preference and the right-wing role
French journalist Santi Aouna had previously confirmed on social media that Yann Diomande has given the green light to joining Liverpool this summer; the same report also cited Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool among his options, with RB Leipzig and PSG having held multiple meetings with his agent representatives. Ben Jacobs noted on a weekend podcast that Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain remain the main frontrunners for Diomande, with the Reds preferring him primarily on the right; Bayern Munich remain on the sidelines but lean toward deploying him on the left — a contrast with the player's own current preference for the right flank. In positional terms, Liverpool and PSG's plans align more closely with his habits, which is one reason the Reds are still viewed as part of the leading pack.
Romano timeline: talks ongoing
Romano addressed persistent questions on his show, saying Liverpool are in talks with Yan Diomande’s camp and that “the Reds are definitely on it.” He added that because the player wants his exit sorted before the World Cup (sources say it kicks off on 11 June), Liverpool could nail down the first signing of the Iraola era next week. It is worth stressing that rivals such as Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have not walked away; the deal still hinges on bids from all sides, contract details and RB Leipzig’s release timeline. What public reporting points to for now is hotter negotiations, not a completed announcement.
Practical questions at the tactical and squad level
Liverpool clearly need at least one new winger this summer. Between adding width on the right and meshing with the existing attack, Diomande’s pace, one-on-one ability and ball-carrying fit the kind of front-line width the Reds want to restore. Wingers developed at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena (capacity 47,069) often bring habits forged in a high-intensity pressing system; if he ends up at Anfield, his first job will be adapting to Premier League tempo and Liverpool’s new tactical language—not being instantly cast as the “saviour.”
What to watch next
For fans, the three things to track most closely are: whether Liverpool and the player’s camp can reach a provisional agreement next week, whether RB Leipzig are willing to let him go before the World Cup, and how Iraola will fold a wide player into the overall attack once he is officially in post. The on-site database shows fixtures already logged for the 2026 World Cup season, but each player’s future still rests on club negotiations.
From a coaching standpoint, if Diomande really is the first signing, Iraola gets not just a right-wing option but a young player willing to plan his career ahead of a major tournament and who has clearly stated he wants to join—something that often matters more for trust-building in a rebuild than the numbers on the deal alone.
