Yan Diomande told not to make Liverpool transfer - 'take Florian Wirtz'
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SportFootballLiverpool FCFormer Germany international Steffen Freund has urged Yan Diomande not to move to Liverpool during the transfer windowYan Diomande has been urged to resist the temptation of moving to Liverpool this summer - with Florian Wirtz used as an example of the troubles he could face.Diomande, who is starring for Ivory Coast in the World Cup, has emerged as the leading transfer target for the Reds as they look to reconfigure their attack under new head coach Andoni Iraola.Liverpool are willing to bid up to £86million for the 19-year-old although his club RB Leipzig want to keep the winger and will only consider a sale this summer for a fee of around £112m (€130m).Diomande, also a target for Paris Saint-Germain, has had only one season in the Bundesliga having arrived at Leipzig from Spanish side Leganes for £17m last year.And former Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City defender Steffen Freund believes the teenager would be best served staying in Germany for at least another season to help avoid the issues Wirtz has faced at Liverpool since his £116m capture from Bayer Leverkusen 12 months ago.“Physically, he should be able to manage it," said Freund. “But take Florian Wirtz as an example: he’s joined the reigning champion and was expected to win the title straight away.
The pressure on him is immense.“In the Premier League, he’s up against better full backs than in the Bundesliga. It’s a different kettle of fish – it’s a real battle there.”Speaking to SportBILD via Sport Witness, ex-Germany international Freund added: "He (Diomande) should stay in Leipzig for another year.“If he maintains his excellent form next season, he can still move to a big club.
Because the next move will bring pressure – much more pressure than he’s faced so far.“He can afford to have the odd bad game in Leipzig. If he leaves now, and if it’s not the right club, he’ll take a step back.”Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCLiverpool FC transfer newsYan Diomande