Today’s news brings an update on the start of Andoni Iraola‘s pre-season schedule, plus a debunking of rumors surrounding a second €116 million bid for Yan Diomande.
The truth behind claims of a second £100m Yan Diomande bid
Liverpool had an initial proposal worth €100 million (£86.6m) turned down by Leipzig last week, but the club have been expected to make an improved offer.
And on Thursday afternoon, social media accounts claimed German outlet BILD reported Leipzig had turned down a second offer from the Reds worth €116m (£100m).
This quickly spread without any direct link to the claim, and has since been shut down by German journalist Philipp Hinze.
Taking to X, he wrote, in reply to a comment about the original BILD article: “Absolute Duck. Was never written by the colleagues. Article does not exist.”
3DR18JJ Leipzig, Poland. 15th Feb, 2026. Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig seen during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena. Final score RB Leipzig 2 : 2 VfL Wolfsburg. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
3DR18JJ Leipzig, Poland. 15th Feb, 2026. Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig seen during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena. Final score RB Leipzig 2 : 2 VfL Wolfsburg. (Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
He then explained: “Just to clarify: reports currently circulating on X that Leipzig have rejected a new €116m offer from LFC are not true.
“Various accounts picked it up blindly without checking the source. This was never officially reported by any credible journalistic source. As things stand, there has not yet been a second offer.”
It goes to show how quickly false news can spread, and not to believe everything you see!
Leipzig are reportedly seeking a fee closer to €130 million (£112.6m), and now it’s just a waiting game to see what Liverpool do next.
LFC News: Pre-season return date, Munoz update and Gakpo price tag
Victor Munoz of Spain (Photo by Sergio Ruiz/PRESSINPHOTO)
Victor Munoz of Spain (Photo by Sergio Ruiz/PRESSINPHOTO)
• Andoni Iraola is expected to oversee the start of pre-season around July 13, just under two weeks before the squad jets off to the US for three pre-season friendlies. Don’t be surprised if some players return even earlier.
• Victor Munoz has taken a step closer to full training with Spain after suffering a minor muscle injury. It will be great to finally get a closer look at him on the pitch.
• A price tag for Cody Gakpo has been mooted, with the BBC reporting any potential transfer would require upwards of £60 million. Tottenham are monitoring his situation, but you sense a move remains unlikely.
• Rhys Williams is currently on trial with MLS side New York Red Bulls. The American side has a strong connection with Jurgen Klopp, of course, and you just know the former boss only had positive words to say about the defender.
• Liverpool have discovered their first cup draw of the campaign. Huddersfield, Doncaster, and Rochdale will be the Reds’ group opponents in the EFL Trophy, providing another test for the club’s academy youngsters.
Andoni Iraola has already voiced a clear desire to evaluate Liverpool’s academy prospects this summer, and Sam Millne has looked at exactly who the head coach should keep a close eye on.
From the creative spark of Kieran Morrison to the goalscoring instincts of Josh Sonni-Lambie, there will be no shortage of talent during pre-season training.
Football News: Bellamy’s Burnley move breaks down and Chelsea eye Palace centre-back
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike challenges Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix (R) during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike challenges Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix (R) during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Propaganda)
• Craig Bellamy was in the frame to take the reins at Burnley, but talks with the former Liverpool player have completely broken down, leaving Wales in a bit of limbo (BBC Sport)
• Chelsea have opened talks for Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, who still has three years remaining on his current deal. Good luck negotiating with them, Xabi! (Fabrizio Romano)
• Tottenham are on the verge of striking an agreement with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky over a new five-year contract – it’s a big show of faith following a few high-profile errors (Sky Sports)
• Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo are all in World Cup action overnight. Jet lag depending, I might manage to catch them all except Wirtz – let’s see!
Liverpool FC: On this day
Liverpool were crowned champions of England for the 19th time, on this day in 2020.
Quite how it’s been six years is hard to believe, but it is not hard to recall the emotion of the day as we had waited a generation to see it!
Chelsea beat Man City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to officially hand Liverpool the title, with a 23-point lead at the top of the table, therefore, unassailable.
Jurgen Klopp‘s squad were together when the moment arrived having all congregated at the team hotel for a barbecue and watching party, a decision they would live to cherish.
‘Campione Campione Ole Ole Ole’ rightly rang out before the celebrations got underway.
Rob Page – EFL Trophy FI
Rob Page - EFL Trophy FI
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Arsenal FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2025: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)