Few could have predicted the meteoric rise of Yan Diomande just one year ago. The current RB Leipzig midfielder once held Leganes' survival in his hands, only to inexplicably spurn a golden opportunity that would have condemned Sevilla to the drop.

Fast-forward twelve months and the Ivorian's career has undergone a staggering transformation. The Bundesliga outfit parted with €20m last summer to secure a talent the Madrid-based side had scouted in the United States—a diamond in the rough that required a discerning eye to identify.

In hindsight, that €20m outlay looks like a bargain. With Europe’s heavyweights circling, RB Leipzig have sparked an all-out bidding war, slapping a monumental €100m price tag on their prized asset. Yet, even at that eye-watering valuation, interest from the continent's elite remains steadfast.

Leading the chase are Liverpool. The Reds are scouring the market for attacking reinforcements, with Mohamed Salah widely expected to depart at the end of the campaign and Cody Gakpo struggling for consistency. According to 'Sky Sport', Diomande has been identified as the primary successor to the 'Egyptian King', an undisputed Anfield legend.

The Merseysiders face a formidable challenge, however, with Paris Saint-Germain also understood to have made enquiries with RB Leipzig. It is a testament to how rapidly the footballing landscape can shift: from the despair of a missed sitter to becoming one of the most coveted talents in world football.

Y. Diomande

Achievements