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Liverpool are prepared to invest heavily in a new winger to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah, though reports suggest the search is proving far more challenging than anticipated.
Salah departed Liverpool as a free agent this summer, concluding a remarkable nine-year spell that produced an extraordinary 257 goals in 442 appearances, cementing the Egyptian's status as one of the Premier League's all-time greats.
RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande had appeared to be Liverpool's primary target to succeed Salah, but The Athletic first reported that the Côte d'Ivoire winger would prefer a move to Paris Saint-Germain, who are actively pursuing a transfer.
Regrettably for Liverpool, the situation has grown even more complicated in the days since.
What's the Latest on Diomande?
Reports of Diomande's preference for PSG emerged shortly after it was revealed that the Parisian club would only pursue a deal if the player expressed a clear desire to join. The 19-year-old is eager to work under head coach Luis Enrique and believes PSG can help him fulfil his ambitions of winning major trophies and potentially even the Ballon d'Or.
French journalist Fabrice Hawkins subsequently claimed that Diomande has already agreed personal terms with PSG, who were then working to finalise a deal with Leipzig.
Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer was approached by BILD regarding Diomande's future, and he firmly underlined the club's resolve not to part ways with the player.
"Of course there's a lot of buzz surrounding Yan—which also speaks to the incredible performance he delivered last year and shows what great potential he still possesses," Schäfer said. "Our clear intention is: Yan Diomande will play for RB Leipzig next year. And we're not backing down from that! We know what we have in him. Of course, if Yan continues like this, the time will come when we give him the opportunity to take the next step—but not this year.
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"In principle, we still have a four-year contract and hold all the cards. Therefore, the current developments are primarily a recognition of his performance. Nothing more and nothing less. And if we can't find a solution, then we can't—but he'll still have a four-year contract. So, to reiterate: Yan Diomande will remain a Leipzig player."
Diomande was asked to comment ahead of Tuesday's World Cup round-of-16 fixture between Côte d'Ivoire and Norway, attempting to downplay the transfer speculation surrounding a move expected to exceed $114.2 million (€100 million).
"That's news to me!" he laughed. "I don't have internet, I don't have Instagram, I don't have TikTok. It is my agent who is talking to the club. I don't have any information.
"I don't want to talk about it, even with my agent, because it is an opportunity to play in the World Cup. It is every four years, so you have to make the most of it. I want to make history with my country and give the best of myself."
Who Will Liverpool Target Now?
Among the other names being considered at Liverpool is PSG winger Bradley Barcola, whose future at Parc des Princes had already been called into question earlier this summer, even before the club's pursuit of Diomande.
Barcola is reportedly unhappy with a limited role in Paris, sitting behind Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé in the squad hierarchy. A move for Diomande, and potentially Maghnes Akliouche of Monaco, could seemingly open the door for Liverpool to make a move for Barcola.
However, the latest update from PSG, as reported by The Athletic, once again creates obstacles for Liverpool.
PSG are said to be firmly against selling Barcola, especially following the agreement to offload striker Gonçalo Ramos to AC Milan for over $84.5 million (€75 million), and would only entertain offers that were simply impossible to turn down.
Manchester City's imminent signing of midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for $153.6 million (£116 million, €134.6 million) has been cited as a potential benchmark for PSG's valuation of Barcola. Should PSG agree to sell, they are expected to demand an even higher fee, which could ultimately put Liverpool out of contention.
Alternative Targets for Liverpool
It is becoming increasingly clear that Liverpool may need to think outside the box in their winger search, with two of the market's most coveted players appearing out of reach. Michael Olise, long considered an ideal Salah replacement, also looks set to be unattainable — as Real Madrid have found out firsthand.
Reports have identified Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion as a serious option for Liverpool, who are also said to be monitoring Köln's Said El Mala and Hoffenheim's Bazoumana Touré.
There remain several high-profile names that could realistically be within Liverpool's grasp. AC Milan's Rafael Leão has already expressed a wish to leave the club this summer and is understood to have an interest in moving to the Premier League.
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
A move for Juventus' Kenan Yıldız would likely be more complex and costly, yet the 21-year-old continues to be linked with a high-profile departure from Turin following Juventus' failure to secure Champions League qualification.
Rodrygo of Real Madrid might well have entered Liverpool's thinking had he not sustained a serious knee injury in March, which is expected to sideline him until at least early 2027.