Liverpool don't appear to be that jumpy as the January transfer window trundles toward the final stretch.
The Reds faithful have watched Arne Slot's struggling side miss out on Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, both of whom have joined rivals Manchester City, but FSG would tell you they decided against striking both deals.
Whether the Premier League champions do pounce on a market opportunity before the end of the month remains to be seen, but it would only be for a one-of-a-kind player, a chance too good to pass up.
Liverpool leading race for elite talent
Liverpool have been a bit of an eyesore over the past five weeks. Even having stopped the rot that led to nine defeats from 12 games, this subsequent 12-match unbeaten run has sated few appetites.
Florian Wirtz has clicked into gear, at least, but the likes of Cody Gakpo have struggled to impress, leading fans to clamour for a new left-sided winger.
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo
Semenyo would have been ideal, but the Ghanaian joined Man City. And anyway, perhaps Liverpool have identified an even more exciting target.
As per TEAMtalk, the Reds are understood to be leading the race for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who has been priced at a staggering £104m by the Bundesliga side.
yan-diomande-rb-leipzig
Tottenham are also determined to sign the Ivory Coast talent, but Liverpool boast financial and sporting advantages over their Premier League rivals, and their need for such a profile could see them seal the deal.
While Leipzig would prefer to hold onto the 19-year-old until the end of the season, Diomande is keen on a winter switch, having named Anfield as his dream destination.
How Diomande could become a superstar for Liverpool
Scale it back to December 2017. FSG sanctioned a world-record move for Virgil van Dijk, the Southampton defender viewed as useful material in Jurgen Klopp's quest for greatness.
That was a move that turned out all right, and while Diomande would cost a pretty penny, he too has an extraordinary skillset that could see him grow into one of the finest wingers in Europe.
yan-diomande-rb-leipzig-man-city
Perhaps it would be more accurate to look at another former Saints prospect here, with Liverpool potentially in line to secure their new version of Sadio Mane in Diomande, whose pace and physicality blend with a rare aptitude in front of goal.
He only joined Leipzig from Spanish side Leganes last summer, but with seven goals and three assists in all competitions before an eye-catching AFCON tournament with Ivory Coast, there's no question that this teenager is the real deal.
Mane, 33, hasn't been at Liverpool for several years now, but there's no question he was one of Klopp's most dangerous lieutenants, deadly down the left wing.
Sadio Mane stats at Liverpool (timeless)
Mane was arguably at his peak across the 2021/22 campaign, finishing runner-up in the Ballon d'Or standings that year.
A deadly finisher with natural flair and a combative side, the Senegalese, who led his side to glory in the African Cup of Nations this month, was once described as a "world-class" superstar by Klopp.
League Comparison - Sadio Mane vs Yan Diomande
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Shots (on target)*
Big chances missed
Accurate passes
Chances created*
Succ. dribbles*
Tackles*
Duels won*
Data via Sofascore
Looking at Diomande's metrics in the Bundesliga this year, we can see how he contrasts, and it does suggest he has what it takes to become the Merseysiders' new version.
Scale it back a bit. As per data-driven platform FBref, Diomande actually ranks among the top 3% of positional peers across all of Europe over the past year for goals scored and progressive passes, as well as the top 14% for tackles won and the top 1% for ball recoveries per 90.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent's goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
This is a truly special winger, one whose prowess has yet to fully form.
Described as a "generational talent" by journalist Bence Bocsak, it's exciting to think that Diomande is still only in the early stage of his career, and he's already raised such excitement about his level.
Liverpool need an electric-paced winger with an eye for goal, and in this, Diomande might just become the Merseysiders' new version of Mane.
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi during the warm up before the match Related
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