Yan Diomande is believed to be the subject of strong interest from Chelsea and Arsenalplaceholder image
Yan Diomande is believed to be the subject of strong interest from Chelsea and Arsenal | Getty Images
Liverpool have been missing the spark that Mohamed Salah provided last season, could a swap deal provide the answer.
Liverpool might not be where they think they should be after a record summer spend although Arne Slot has seen signs of recovery recently.
The longest unbeaten run of any team in Europe’s top five leagues sees them all but guaranteed to qualify in the top eight of the Champions League and in a considerably better position to make the top five of the Premier League. England’s teams have performed well this year which means that fifth will be enough to qualify for next season’s tournament.
Yan Diomande to Liverpool swap deal
The January window could be quiet with Richard Hughes seemingly turning his attentions to the summer already. A potential deal for Adam Wharton would fill a hole in midfield but it is speculation linking another of Europe’s best youngsters that is more exciting. RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande is catching the eye of every top team with six goals and three assist in 16 appearances in the Bundesliga this season. The 19-year old Ivory Coast international’s career has seen him play in four countries already with a host of clubs missing out on his services when he was doing the rounds on trial.
Liverpool are reported to be leading the race for Diomande, but one way that they could sweeten any deal for Diomande is by offering a swap deal. He might not be the same type of winger, but with Florian Wirtz looking like he is the first choice to start on the left, Cody Gakpo will be spending more time on the bench now that Mohamed Salah is back at Anfield. Offering the Metherlands international as part of the deal to sign Diomande would solve Leipzig’s problem of having to replace a key player whilst also saving Liverpool a few pounds in the process.
Yan Diomande fires warning to defenders
Diomande is equally as comfortable on either foot and has the sort of pace and dribbling ability that terrifies defenders. Worryingly for them, the teenage flyer is only going to get better after being asked about recent transfer speculation, as told to the official Bundesliga website: “It feels normal to me, because I am surrounded by people who guide me. This is what we planned for, so I’m not surprised. We knew this would come and we were waiting for it. Thank God things are going well, and we are grateful.
“I don’t pay attention to rumours. I focus on my work on the pitch. If you perform, rumours will always appear. I stay concentrated, and I have good support from my father and the club staff. So I focus only on football.”
On his hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt, he said: “It’s a source of pride. Even though I am right-footed, I scored with my left. That shows that I am progressing and that I must not stop. I must keep working, keep improving, and score even more goals. My style is explosive, fast, and physically strong. Quick, agile, and also a finisher. I know I am not yet a perfect finisher, but I am only 19. With time, it will come – and I will become a killer in front of goal.” A player who it is better to have on your team than in the opposition line-up.
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