Plenty of possible Liverpool transfer targets are in action at the World Cup, now underway in North America, and here are four players to watch, including Yan Diomande
06:00, 13 Jun 2026
Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast controls the ball during the AFCON Group B match between Ivory Coast and Egypt at Agadir stadium, Agadir, Morocco on January 10, 2026.
Liverpool fans will enjoy watching potential transfer target Yan Diomande in action at the World Cup. (Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool has surprisingly low representation at the World Cup this summer. Just eight players were named to their respective national teams for the sport's showpiece event.
That number was cut to seven before a ball has even been kicked, with Wataru Endo withdrawing and retiring from international duty after failing to recover from an injury in time. And while this quirk is great news for Andoni Iraola's preparations back in Liverpool, it's a slight shame that there won't be more Anfield representatives to root for.
Fortunately, there is more than enough transfer intrigue to keep things interesting from a club perspective. Yan Diomande is currently the player being most vociferously linked with a Liverpool move, and fans will get to see him in action for Ivory Coast.
And he is not the only possible transfer target set to play in North America. We've picked out four names mentioned in the gossip columns whom Liverpool supporters can run the rule over at the World Cup.
Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)
A new winger will be high on the list of Liverpool's summer recruitment plans. That might have been the case already, but the expedited departure of Mohamed Salah has made it an absolute necessity.
For most 19-year-olds, the idea of stepping into those particular shoes is laughable. But Diomande is not most 19-year-olds.
There would undoubtedly still be some trepidation about spending what would be huge money on a player who has only really come to prominence in the last year. But from what he has shown at RB Leipzig, the teenager looks like the real deal.
For many Liverpool fans, the World Cup will be the first chance to go from watching highlights reels to seeing how Diomande fares across whole games at the top level. Ivory Coast faces Ecuador, Germany, and Curacao in the groups, which should all provide a showcase in different ways.
The Reds will just have to hope that Diomande doesn't do so well that his price tag jumps even higher. And with other clubs keeping tabs as well, they may need to move fast.
Bradley Barcola (France)
Bradley Barcola has been linked with an exit from PSG this summer
Bradley Barcola has been linked with an exit from PSG this summer
Bradley Barcola will be far more familiar to the average punter. After all, anyone who watched the Champions League final will have seen him in action.
But his minutes at PSG have been restricted, by virtue of the incredible strength of his teammates. There's a possibility that this could open the door for a move to Liverpool.
The unfortunate thing is that Barcola faces a similar problem for his country. There are no guarantees that we'll get to see him in action much for France, where he is trying to dislodge the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Michael Olise.
However, much like at PSG, he is bound to play some kind of role, even it is from the bench. Liverpool fans might be on the fence about moving for someone who can't get regular minutes at another European giant, but watching him at the World Cup may well change a few minds.
Nathaniel Brown (Germany)
Links to Nathaniel Brown have gone a little quieter recently, but reports in February did credit Liverpool with an interest. And with the departure of Andy Robertson, the left-back position may come into sharper relief.
Admittedly, the likeliest course of events is that Milos Kerkez takes over as the full-time successor, especially now he is set to reunite with Iraola. Kostas Tsimikas is expected to return from loan as back-up.
Nevertheless, Brown is an interesting option who all of the top teams will at least be keeping an eye on. He has excelled in this campaign, being voted Eintracht Frankfurt's Player of the Season and crowning it with a World Cup call-up.
Nathaniel Brown #18 of Germany poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 09, 2026 in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
Nathaniel Brown looks Bayern-bound, although Liverpool has previously been linked. (Image: Alexander Hassenstein - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
In many quarters, he's even being tipped to start for Germany. That would be a huge step for someone with just five current caps to his name, and would be sure to catapult him onto the consciousness of plenty more fans around the world.
Bayern Munich is thought to be closing in on a transfer, but while it is expected to win the race, a deal is not yet finalized. A Liverpool hijack at this late hour would be highly unexpected, with Arsenal and Manchester United mentioned more heavily in recent weeks, but you never know what might happen in silly season.
Regardless, it will be fun to get a closer look at the 22-year-old. He looks set to be a fixture at the top of the European game soon, wherever that may be, and he could be about to enjoy a real breakthrough tournament.
Jarell Quansah (England)
Okay, so Liverpool fans don't necessarily need the World Cup to know what Jarell Quansah is all about. He was a regular at Anfield just a couple of seasons ago, and his departure was something of a surprise.
Arne Slot didn't seem to fancy him at first, but that relationship appeared to have been repaired, and Quansah made 13 league appearances across the title-winning campaign. Yet he was sold to Bayer Leverkusen last summer, where by all accounts he has continued his development.
England defender Jarell Quansah (26) and Costa Rica defender Darril Yorel Araya Samuels (8) battle for the ball during the international friendly game between England and Costa Rica at Inter&Co Stadium on June 10, 2026 in Orlando,Florida.
Jarell Quansah has been linked with a swift return to Liverpool. (Image: Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Should he get any minutes for England, it will be interesting to see exactly where the 23-year-old is at now, especially on such a big stage. Thomas Tuchel clearly believes he is at home among the world's best, which is interesting in light of Liverpool's right of first refusal.
Liverpool even has personal terms pre-arranged with Quansah in the event that it buys him back. It can exercise an option to do so for $74 million, meaning things could move very rapidly should the Reds decide to pull the trigger.
With the departure of Ibrahima Konate, there could certainly be worse moves. But whether Quansah actually features at the World Cup remains to be seen, with his inclusion in the squad in the first place something of a surprise.