Yan Diomande: first blood drawn as United face up against Liverpool for African sensation – David Ornstein

Manchester United are falling behind Liverpool in the race to sign RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande, as the club’s priorities lie elsewhere this summer, according to two transfer experts. Fixing the Engine Room The Red Devils are prioritising a major rebuild in midfield, with Casemiro’s contract set to expire and Manuel Ugarte’s head on the chopping block. At least two signings will arrive, while a third will be added if a buyer can be found for the 25-year-old Uruguay international. United’s budget is expected to be considerable after Michael Carrick’s men secured Champions League qualification. A host of players out on loan will be sold as well — Rasmus Hojlund has already joined Napoli permanently for £38 million — to further bolster the war chest. One well-placed source states it is a “near certainty” the total spend will surpass last summer’s £240m outlay. However, the midfield market is an expensive one. The primary targets — Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson or Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni — will cost up to £100m, while the alternatives elsewhere in the Premier League, such as West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, will not be cheap either. A deal is understood to be advancing for Atalanta dynamo Ederson, though reports from Italy of a £46m agreement are said to be “premature”. The Brazil international has “verbally agreed” to a five-year contract, however, with United executives in Bergamo to continue negotiations. The focus on fixing the team’s stalling engine room will leave little room for big-money investment elsewhere on the pitch. A new left-winger — an “Amad on the left” as one source describes — is on the agenda, with Diomande and Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers the two leading candidates. But Leipzig are demanding €100m (£87m) for their 19-year-old winger, who has enjoyed a breakout season in the Bundesliga with 12 goals and seven assists in 33 games, demonstrating a devastating combination of speed and skill. And Fabrizio Romano reveals United have “informed” Diomande’s camp that they are unwilling to meet the asking price as their “main investments will be made in midfield.” INEOS are said to “really like” the Ivory Coast international, who played alongside Amad at the Africa Cup of Nations, but consider him “too expensive”. Liverpool Surge Ahead United’s reluctance to pursue a deal has allowed Liverpool to storm ahead in the race to secure Diomande’s signature, with David Ornstein confirming he is a “leading target” for the Merseyside club as they prepare to replace the departing Mohamed Salah. “Diomande is among Europe’s most coveted talents and the Anfield side are serious contenders for his signature, although they are sure to face stiff competition if the 19-year-old exits Leipzig,” the Athletic reporter reveals. “Liverpool have manoeuvred into a strong position with the player and if a deal looks plausible on that front, talks between the clubs can be expected to follow.” Final Thoughts Virtually every member of Europe’s elite, including Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, are keeping tabs on Diomande — a reflection of his outstanding talent, with the Red Bull group considering him their best prospect since Erling Haaland arrived at RB Salzburg. And while there is a strong chance the Abidjan native remains with Leipzig next season, it appears increasingly certain Anfield will be his destination should he leave Germany, much to the frustration of his admirers at Old Trafford. Feature image Boris Streubel via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.