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RB Leipzig’s rising star Yan Diomande has spoken candidly about how his game has developed, as top European clubs prepare to battle for his signature in what could be one of the biggest transfers of the coming summer window. The Ivorian winger, who has quickly established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous attackers, is currently the subject of intense interest from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.

Changing inspirations and chasing excellence

“My idol before was Cristiano Ronaldo and I also like R9, but now I look at players like Vini and [Kylian] Mbappe,” Diomande told Sky Sports while discussing his football journey. “I try to study players who play in the same position as me so that I can take the good things from their game and bring them onto the pitch myself.”

His comments reflect a shift in focus from the traditional centre-forward icons he once admired to the modern-day wide forwards who dominate today’s game.

A rise built on relentless effort

Despite his rapid ascent, the 19-year-old remains grounded and determined to keep improving. “I am a human being. I can make mistakes. If you did not do a good game, you need to recognise it and work hard for the next. I did a lot of **** games in the season,” he admitted.

That constant drive for progress has translated into remarkable numbers, with Diomande recording a league-best 118 successful dribbles as he continues to focus on improving by even one per cent each day.

His humility and work ethic shine through in every remark. “Sometimes it is good to have pressure. You have to give everything, every day, every minute, every second. Every day you need to improve something, even one per cent.”

The €100m transfer battle

Liverpool view Diomande as a perfect fit to fill the void that will be left by Mohamed Salah’s expected exit, but they now face fierce competition from PSG. The Ivorian has previously confessed his admiration for the Reds, saying on social media, “I want to play for Liverpool. I'm a big Liverpool fan. My father dreams of seeing me play at Anfield one day. That's my dream too – and I want to make it come true.”

However, completing the move will not be easy. RB Leipzig are in a strong negotiating position and are reportedly demanding an offer of around €100 million (£86m/$116m) before entertaining a sale. Diomande’s contract runs until 2030, and Leipzig’s managing director Oliver Mintzlaff has already suggested that the winger will “certainly be with us next season” despite the huge figures being discussed.

World Cup ambitions with Côte d'Ivoire

Before any potential transfer unfolds, Diomande’s focus remains on representing Côte d'Ivoire at the upcoming World Cup. “I want to help my country go as far as possible,” he said. The Elephants will face a tough opening challenge against Germany, a match that will pit Diomande against several of his club teammates.

The showdown in Toronto will see him come up against his Leipzig captain, David Raum. “He is my captain. Sometimes we joke, ‘I am going to kill you’ or ‘I am going to do this…’ but we are still friends,” Diomande said with a smile. “It will be great to play against each other and swap shirts. It’s going to be a special moment.”