Man Utd transfer target's dad wants him to join Liverpool instead

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Top Manchester United target Yan Diomande's father is reportedly a massive Liverpool fan to hand the Reds a massive boost in signing the potential Mohamed Salah replacement

Yan Diomande will be in high demand this summer(Image: Getty Images)

RB Leipzig 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande could be set to command an eye-watering transfer fee this summer after a breakout season with the Bundesliga club.

According to Sky Sports News, he has emerged high on Manchester United's shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window. But there is also a big family link to Liverpool.

Liverpool will almost certainly look to sign a winger this summer to replace the outgoing Mohamed Salah, who confirmed his departure from the club with an emotional video posted to his social media platforms on Tuesday.

Diomande hopped on a TikTok livestream in early February and talked up the Reds, revealing that his love for the club comes from his father. Then, he slightly backtracked when asked by BILD, though not all the way.

“I want to play at Anfield, I want to play for Liverpool. I’m a big fan of Liverpool,” the Leipzig teenager said. “I’m a big fan of Liverpool because my father’s dream is to see me play at Anfield. So that’s my dream. You know, to fulfil my father’s dream is a dream for me too.”

Naturally, German reporters wanted him to expand. He emphasized that Liverpool isn't his "dream club," per se. The likes of United and City certainly still loom as possibilities for the Ivorian.

Bayern Munich are also thought to be after Yan Diomande(Image: Getty Images)

"People made it out to be my dream club. But first and foremost, it’s my dad’s favourite club," Diomande told BILD. "It was always his great wish to see me there someday because he loves the atmosphere at Anfield."

"He always raved about Steven Gerrard. I was too young to see him play. We didn’t even have a TV at home for a long time. I have a lot of respect for Liverpool, but my dream club right now is Leipzig."

Diomande has 10 goals and six assists in under 2,000 league minutes for RB Leipzig as the Eastern German side looks to chase down an available Champions League place.

Less than two years ago, the Ivorry Coast international was playing high school soccer in Florida. Spanish side Levante plucked him from obscurity (after a stop at Frenzi) and brought him to the Spanish top flight.

Diomande does not profile as a like-for-like replacement for Salah. They may play the same position, but the Leipzig man plays much wider and is far more likely to engage in a dribble.

Salah, famously, has some of the best goal/assist numbers of any winger in modern history. However, he wasn't hitting the marks Diomande is currently as a teenager.