Liverpool remain intent on recruiting a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah and have opened talks over Yan Diomande. Leipzig, however, are resisting a sale and are pushing to extend Diomande’s contract. To accept a transfer, the German club would insist on “significantly more” than Liverpool’s opening proposal, which the Reds submitted largely to “test the waters”.

The Daily Mail state Liverpool are set to return with an improved bid, but Leipzig will watch Diomande’s World Cup displays closely and may boost their valuation accordingly. That approach is already proving effective.

Diomande’s tournament with Côte d’Ivoire is just beginning, but he made a strong impression in the 1–0 victory over Ecuador. On the night his quick feet and direct dribbling stood out. No player had more touches in the opposition box than Diomande (12), while his five chances created led the game. He troubled an Ecuador defence containing PSG’s Willian Pacho and Arsenal’s Piero Hincapié.

Match metrics from that appearance:
Minutes played: 90
Chances created: 5
Dribble success: 67% (4/6)
Touches in opposition box: 12
Expected goals and assists (xG + xA): 0.54
Ground duels won: 73% (11/15)

Leipzig officials will welcome the possibility that continued form raises interest and transfer value. The club has adjusted its strategy recently by attempting to keep key players on fresh contracts while remaining open to sales for the right fee. That could mean holding Diomande to a new deal and negotiating a move later on more favourable terms.

Relations between the two clubs are described as strong. The presence of Jürgen Klopp in the Red Bull hierarchy is noted as a further link that should aid constructive talks, and both sides are expected to conduct negotiations amicably as the window progresses.

Alexis Mac Allister’s agent and father, Carlos, has moved to dampen talk of an imminent transfer to Real Madrid while making clear his son remains focused on the World Cup.

Speculation has linked the Liverpool midfielder with a summer move following a 2025–26 campaign in which his form drew harsh scrutiny. Real Madrid have been mentioned as a destination after securing Bernardo Silva this year as they seek long-term successors to Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić.

Carlos Mac Allister, who also represents his son, denied that any contact had taken place with the Spanish club when speaking to Erem News. “The reports circulating about Alexis are false.

“No one from Real Madrid has spoken to us so far. There is no new information regarding Alexis’s current situation at Liverpool .”

Mac Allister’s contract at Liverpool runs until June 2028 and, according to the available information, there have been no discussions about an extension. The player spent three seasons on Merseyside after his move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The agent returned to the subject in comments to WinWin, stressing the immediate priority and leaving the possibility of reconsideration once the World Cup is concluded: “Alexis is in excellent shape to play in the World Cup. Before the World Cup begins, it’s not possible to discuss or analyse a player’s future,” he said.

Liverpool endured a difficult 2025–26 season and finished fifth to secure Champions League qualification. The club has since changed managers, with Arne Slot replaced by Andoni Iraola, and a significant summer of turnover is anticipated, including the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.

How the new manager views Mac Allister remains unclear. After three seasons at Liverpool, both player and club may evaluate whether a fresh chapter is appropriate once international commitments conclude.

Yan Diomande produced a standout display as Côte d’Ivoire opened their World Cup campaign with a 1–0 win over Ecuador. The 19-year-old winger, a target for Liverpool, provided a sustained reminder of why RB Leipzig will reportedly demand a fee in excess of $100 million.

From kickoff Diomande was the focal point of the Ivorian attack. He repeatedly beat Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié with bursts of acceleration and direct dribbling, creating multiple clear openings inside the first 20 minutes. A cut inside from the right supplied Elye Wahi with a close-range chance that Hernán Galindez comfortably collected, while a later byline run produced a cut-back that was blocked.

Diomande’s most dangerous first-half contribution arrived in the 37th minute when he evaded Hincapié and supplied a precise pass to Nicolas Pépé near the penalty spot. Alan Franco blocked Pépé’s eventual attempt, denying what was the clearest Ivorian chance of the opening 45 minutes. At halftime Diomande had created three chances, completed two of four dribbles and contributed four defensive actions.

He continued to dictate play after the break. In the 51st minute a run down the right led to a delivery toward Wahi that struck the crossbar. After Manchester United’s Amad Diallo entered in the 56th minute, Diomande switched to the left and forced another opportunity, beating two defenders before sending a shot over the crossbar.

Ecuador adjusted, and the teenager found himself double-marked in the final 20 minutes. His influence dipped in that period, but he still produced the match’s final dangerous action by powering away from Joel Ordóñez and Kevin Rodríguez before feeding Pépé. Diallo’s 90th-minute finish ultimately decided the match, but Diomande was widely the game’s standout player despite not registering a direct goal or assist.

Match statistics
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
xG + xA: 0.55
Accurate passes: 41/51 (80%)
Chances created: 5
Successful dribbles: 4/6 (67%)
Shots: 2
Duels won: 11/15 (73%)
Defensive contributions: 7