Rio Ferdinand 'keeps hearing' Liverpool are ready to complete transfer for World Cup star
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Rio Ferdinand has shared a name he keeps hearing will sign for Liverpool this summer - as Bundesliga teen tipped to be young star of the World CupYan Diomande is a name that Liverpool fans should be keeping a close eye at the World Cup - according to ex-England star Rio Ferdinand.Talk of Liverpool submitting an official bid for the dangerous winger has already done the rounds but it is believed that Red Bull Leipzig will demand £112.4m for his services.The 19-year-old Ivory Coast star, valued at £80m by RB Leipzig, has been tracked by Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and North-West rivals Manchester United. Diomande, Ivory Coast."I keep hearing he’s going to go to Liverpool, that’s what I keep hearing, unfortunately."The first chance Liverpool supporters will get to see Diomande, signed for £18m from Spanish Segunda Division outfit Leganes, will be in the small hours of Monday morning against Ecuador in their opening Group E game in Philadelphia.
The encounter, the African side will then face Germany and Curaçao and will fancy their chances of progressing to the next stage.Speaking after his excellent first season in Germany with RB Leipzig, Diomande said: "This year was amazing for me."To play in the AFCON at 19, to qualify for the World Cup, to play in the Champions League, and I am on my way to the World Cup. I am just proud."Diomande was born in the Ivory Coast but moved to the US as a child where he played in the youth ranks for Yulee Hornets and DME Academy.
Then I signed for Leganes."Speaking about Ivory Coast's chances of success at the World Cup, with the 2023 African Cup of Nations winners ranked 33rd in the FIFA ratings, Diomande said: "I want to help my country go as far as possible."And when asked on whether his next move for the future, Diomande said: "My contract is until 2030 so I have four more years."I want to be one of the best on the field. But I want to go slowly, step by step to reach what I want to do."For now Diomande says he is happy at RB Leipzig and owes them his gratitude, he said: "Nobody knew me before (signing for them)."To put up €20 million, it is a lot to buy a talent nobody knows.