Joe Cole Advises Diomande to Pick Liverpool
Yan Diomande has been told by former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole to reject Paris Saint-Germain and move to Anfield this summer. The Reds have identified the RB Leipzig winger as a top target to replace Mohamed Salah, having already secured the services of Victor Munoz.
Liverpool have communicated to the Bundesliga club that they are willing to pay approximately £86 million for Diomande, a valuation equating to a package worth about €100 million. Leipzig had previously indicated they would seek around €130 million (£112 million) to sell the 19-year-old, who is reportedly leaning towards PSG as his next destination if he leaves Leipzig this summer.
Cole's Verdict: Liverpool Needs You
Speaking via Paddy Power, Cole said: “There’s a lot of top-level wingers in world football right now, but Diomande is as good as I’ve seen, he’s so explosive. My advice to him as a young player is don’t bother going to PSG. Go to Liverpool because if they want you and there’s a hole in the team to play, then they really need you.”
Cole added: “PSG don’t need anybody, but maybe his heart is set on Paris. If that’s the case and he backs himself, I’ve got no problem with that. But if Liverpool still want him, go out and convince him because I think that would be the move that suits him best.”
Leipzig's Stance: Not for Sale
However, back in April, Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff made it clear that Diomande was not for sale this summer. He stated: “I can say: 'If I were sporting director, I wouldn't sell this young player, who hasn't even completed a full season with us.' No matter what price is being asked. I believe he's a player who can still develop further, because he's still very young. And he can certainly become more expensive.”
Mintzlaff continued: “Of course, there are other clubs where players also want to take the next step – FC Bayern is one of them, but also clubs from England and Spain. But we have to expect that a player, even if he delivers outstanding performances here, doesn't leave again after just one year. Therefore, I can only recommend to the management that they keep this player with us for the coming season. And then we'll have to see how he develops.”
He concluded: “We want to play in the Champions League. And that's naturally an argument for such a young player to then deliver what he's shown in a second season and potentially develop further – also at an international level. So we have many good arguments. And the best argument is a long-term contract. Therefore, I'm completely relaxed about the whole matter.”
