Richard Hughes faces deadline to clinch ‘scary’ winger Yan Diomande

Richard Hughes, the Liverpool director who broke the British transfer record twice last season with the arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, now faces pressure to secure 19‑year‑old Yan Diomande before the new manager Andoni Iraola’s first window closes.

Hughes has been at the heart of Liverpool’s biggest transfer moves over the past two years. His record‑breaking signings of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak set a new British transfer fee benchmark last season.

Yan Diomande, 19, is an attacker capable of operating on either wing for RB Leipzig. His lightning‑quick pace and goal‑scoring ability have drawn praise from former England defender Gary Neville and former England striker Ian Wright, who described his style as ‘scary’. Diomande is touted as the perfect successor to Mohamed Salah for Liverpool.

"I think there’s a little bit of frustration on the player’s side from what I’ve heard that it’s maybe taking a little bit longer than some people may have anticipated," Lewis Steele said. He added that Diomande’s representatives may have expected a faster resolution, but are now resigned to a possible delay until after the World Cup.

Liverpool remain the frontrunners for Diomande’s signature, yet they cannot afford to linger. Paris Saint‑Germain have also registered interest, but their depth of world‑class attackers makes a move less logical for the French club. Diomande’s two World Cup appearances for Ivory Coast underline the level of talent Liverpool hope to acquire.

If Liverpool were to target another prospect such as Bradley Barcola, the race for Diomande could reopen. Consequently, Hughes must accelerate negotiations to secure the winger before competing clubs intervene.