Yan Diomande to Liverpool update as £100m target speaks out with transfer talks on

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Liverpool transfer target Yan Diomande says his club future can wait as Ivory Coast prepare for their first-ever appearance at the knock-out stages of a World Cup. Diomande helped his side finish second in Group E to progress.

The Reds made clear their readiness to pay up to £86m for the RB Leipzig star last week. However, the Bundesliga outfit are unwilling to part with the 19-year-old winger and are keen to open contract renewal discussions with the player's representatives.

Diomande's agency, Roc Nation Sports, are understood to have been canvassing some of Europe's most powerful clubs for months regarding their plans for their client. And while European champions Paris Saint-Germain have also registered their interest, Liverpool's pursuit is believed to be the most advanced at this stage.

Diomande set up two-goal hero Nicolas Pepe on Thursday night as the Elephants defeated Curacao 2-0 to book their place in the last-32 of the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking after the final whistle, the Reds' summer target was clear that thoughts of a potential move are firmly on the back burner for now.

He said: "Right now, I don't know. I am not thinking about my future after the World Cup.

"I am trying to put all my energy into the World Cup and we will see what is going to happen after that. I can say nothing about."

Online claims that Liverpool had submitted a second bid on Thursday were wrongly attributed to German publication Bild. Talks between the Reds and Leipzig are understood to be continuing.

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Diomande's most recent remarks follow an earlier suggestion during the World Cup that he is leaving the specifics of his future to his agency.

Speaking after Ivory Coast's 1-0 victory over Ecuador on 15 June, Diomande said: "A move to the Premier League ? I am an RB Leipzig player, but why not?".

"My agents will sort that out. As for me I am more focused on the World Cup, that's the most important thing.

"It doesn't happen all the time, it's only every four years, so I am making the most of it and for the rest, we'll see."

It's understood that while Leipzig are hesitant to part ways with Diomande, whom they acquired last year from Leganes for approximately £17m, an offer in the region of £112m could persuade the German outfit to negotiate.

However, speaking to Bild earlier this month, Leipzig's managing director Marcel Schafer said: "We don't have to say yes to any sum.

"Yan has no exit clause. That means we sit in the driver's seat and everyone else in the back seat."