Bild reported this week that Liverpool have identified the 20-year-old German international as a priority midfield target, with sporting director Richard Hughes preparing an initial offer in the region of £34million plus bonuses. RB Leipzig have made clear that figure falls well short of their valuation, with no release clause in a contract running to June 2029 giving the club full control over any negotiation.
Ouédraogo joined Leipzig from Schalke 04 in 2024 for £8.6million and has made 19 competitive appearances this season, contributing three goals and four assists. His season has been disrupted by two separate knee injuries — he has missed 17 matches — but his underlying numbers among Bundesliga midfielders remain elite. Leipzig head coach Ole Werner labelled him an "unbelievable talent" after November's 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen, and Jürgen Klopp, now Global Sports Director at Red Bull, recently praised the player publicly.
"I don't think you will have heard of him, but Assan Ouédraogo plays for Leipzig and he made a massive impression."
Liverpool's interest in the 6ft 3in central midfielder has intensified following reports that Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo could all leave Anfield this summer.
His route to Leipzig runs via Schalke's academy in Gelsenkirchen, where he earned comparisons with Xabi Alonso before breaking into the first team. He has earned one Germany cap, scoring on debut in November's 6-0 World Cup qualifying win over Slovakia.
Liverpool have an established relationship with Leipzig having previously signed Naby Keïta, Ibrahima Konaté and Dominik Szoboszlai from the same club. Whether that gives them first-mover advantage over Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern will depend on whether they can close the gap between their opening offer and Leipzig's asking price.