[Liverpool](https://walkon.com/) will be in the market for another center back in the summer 2026 transfer market, whether or not Ibrahima Konate stays and whether or not Marc Guehi joins the club.
Now, all signs currently point to Liverpool being the ones to sign Guehi, with Real Madrid even resigning themselves to the Reds picking him up for free, and it’s more likely than not that Konate will leave, perhaps to Madrid.
But Guehi isn’t the only center back target Liverpool are looking to sign, as they are also going after players who fit more into the up-and-coming bracket and not just an established England national team standout like Guehi.
According to a report from Liverpool insider DaveOCKOP, the Reds are reengaging their interest in Sporting CP star Ousmane Diomande, who used to be a regular in transfer rumors alongside teammate and center back partner Goncalo Inacio.
Liverpool still view Guehi as their No. 1 transfer target, but should anything fall apart again in pursuit of the Crystal Palace star, it looks like Diomande, who is still only 21 years old, is a strong Plan B.
Joe Soriano is the editor of _The Trivela Effect_ and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like _The Real Champs_ (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage _NFL Spin Zone_ and _Daily DDT,_ covering the NFL and pro wrestling.