“The social media claims stating an official £100m bid was submitted are completely false. The club will not be held to ransom, which is why the board has already opened quiet talks for a phenomenal €40m alternative” — An absolute transfer bombshell has dropped tonight as sources at a major German publication officially shut down the internet-breaking rumors surrounding Yan Diomande’s move to Anfield, revealing an entirely new winger target.

The swirling rumors of a second, record-breaking Liverpool bid for Yan Diomande have been officially shut down. But for the Anfield faithful, the transfer saga is far from over, as the club has reportedly shifted its attention to a new, more affordable target.

### 🚫 The €116m Rumor is “Completely False”

A significant chunk of the recent noise surrounding Liverpool’s summer transfer plans is entirely without foundation. Claims that the club had submitted a second, improved bid of €100 million plus €20 million in bonuses for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande have been robustly dismissed by credible sources .

* **Journalist Clarification:** Sky Germany reporter Philipp Hinze stated that reports circulating on social media claiming a new €116m offer had been rejected are “not true.” He emphasized that the rumor was “picked up blindly” without checking the source and was “never officially reported by any credible journalistic source.” As things stand, Liverpool has not yet submitted a second offer for the player .
* **Clarification from the German Publication:** Sources at the German publication *Bild* have also confirmed that the reports were entirely false .
* **Diomande’s Stance:** The 19-year-old Ivorian winger himself is currently focused on the World Cup and has stated he is not thinking about his future until the tournament concludes, putting any potential deal on hold for now .

### 💰 The Financial Reality of the Diomande Pursuit

The debunking of the €116m rumor paints a picture of a club being cautious in the market. Liverpool are clearly admirers of Diomande, but his price tag presents a significant obstacle.

* **The Valuation Gap:** While Liverpool have communicated a willingness to pay up to **£86 million (approx. €100m)** for the winger, RB Leipzig are holding out for a fee closer to **£112 million (approx. €130m)** .
* **Leipzig’s Strong Position:** The Bundesliga club is reluctant to sell and has the player tied down to a contract until 2030, giving them the upper hand in negotiations . They are under no pressure to sell for anything less than their valuation, especially after appointing a new head coach and needing to generate funds through player sales .

### 🎯 The €40m Alternative on the Horizon

With the Diomande deal looking increasingly complex, Liverpool’s board is reportedly preparing a more economical alternative, rumored to be a **€40 million** swoop. The most concrete name linked as a potential alternative is Brighton & Hove Albion winger, **Yankuba Minteh** .

Here’s how the two potential targets compare:

| Profile | Yan Diomande | Yankuba Minteh |
| :— | :— | :— |
| **Club** | RB Leipzig | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| **Age** | 19 | 21 |
| **Reported Price** | ~£112m / €130m | ~£40m |
| **League Experience** | 1 season in Bundesliga | Premier League-proven |

* **A Fit for Iraola’s System:** According to reports, Minteh fits the profile sought by new manager Andoni Iraola, described as “quick, direct and aggressive without the ball” – perfectly suited to a high-energy pressing system . He also has experience playing on both wings and has Premier League experience, which could make him a more immediate contributor .
* **A Budget-Conscious Move:** With the budget set at £40 million for Minteh, this would represent a significantly more cost-effective option than the nine-figure sum required for Diomande . It would leave funds available for other areas of the squad.

—

Liverpool’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements is clearly a story that will continue to develop. The club’s stance of not being held to “ransom” appears to be a calculated one, as they explore more affordable options while keeping an eye on a potential future move for their primary target.