Yan Diomande is now known to prefer a move to Paris Saint-Germain over Liverpool, therefore links to alternatives like Said El Mala have begun to pick up again.
‘No offer’ received for Said El Mala
With Liverpool now set to miss out on Diomande, attention has already turned to who they could target instead.
Yankubah Minteh of Brighton, Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Cologne’s El Mala have all been named previously this summer as alternatives considered by Liverpool.
The latter is now the subject of a report from local Cologne (Koln) newspaper, Express, claiming that his club “has not received an offer” and they “know nothing about” rumours of him going to Liverpool or Newcastle.
Brentford have also been linked, and Express report that an offer was seriously considered by the player.
“There was reportedly a heated discussion within the family recently about what the right move for Said would be,” wrote journalist Uwe Bodeke.
“At Brentford, he could have earned around €30 million over the next five years. His mother, Sabrina, would naturally prefer to keep her sons, Said and Malek (21), close by.
“However, the decision to turn down Brentford was apparently a mutual one. According to information obtained by Express, Said personally informed Kessler that he didn’t currently consider Brentford the right step for him.
“Since the striker has only played one year in the Bundesliga, he can easily imagine continuing his development at FC Koln and for at least another year, but many people are involved behind the scenes.
“Said’s final decision remains to be seen.”
LFC News: Barcola interest, Forest ‘target’ Jones & Van Dijk’s support for Gakpo
3DGXMTJ Bradley BARCOLA of PSG during the French Cup, round of 32 football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC on 12 January 2026 at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France - Photo Matthieu Mirville / DPPI
• Transfer talk around a move for Bradley Barcola has stepped up since news broke that Diomande would prefer a move to PSG over Liverpool – the latest instalment in Liverpool’s search for wingers is here
• Curtis Jones is a “target” for Nottingham Forest, according to transfer journalists Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook – they say Liverpool value him at £40 million
• Sky Sports are reporting that Crystal Palace are among the clubs “monitoring” Harvey Elliott this summer – any decision will surely wait until Andoni Iraola has seen him in pre-season
• Virgil van Dijk has shown public support for Cody Gakpo after the winger’s partner, Noa van der Bij, suffered a miscarriage – Gakpo has turned down time off and should start for the Netherlands against Morocco
More from This Is Anfield
Once Iraola has had a chance to assess his squad, we could start to see some exits from Anfield.
Joanna Durkan has assessed 12 players who could leave this summer…
Football News: World Cup knockouts, Maresca appointed and Edwards rejects Burnley
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 27, 2023: Leicester City's manager Enzo Maresca during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
• With all eight Liverpool players involved in the World Cup reaching the round of 32, we’ve put together a guide of how and when to watch every game here – if you don’t mind the sleep deprivation, that is
• Enzo Maresca has finally been appointed the new manager of Man City and it’s fair to say Chelsea aren’t pleased with him! – he has even had to pay the Londoners compensation
• Rob Edwards has turned down an approach from Burnley, leaving the Clarets still looking for a new manager (BBC Sport)
• Despite Diomande now clearly wanting a move to PSG, RB Leipzig’s managing director for sport, Marcel Schaefer, has told Bild that “Diomande will play for RB Leipzig next year and we’re not backing down from that”
Monday night’s last-32 fixtures
Brazil vs. Japan
Round of 32 • Houston Stadium
June 29 • 6pm
ITV 1
Germany vs. Paraguay
Round of 32 • Boston Stadium
June 29 • 9.30pm
BBC 1
Netherlands vs. Morocco
Round of 32 • Monterrey Stadium
June 30 • 2am
ITV 1
*All times BST