Looking at Liverpool’s transfer alternatives as key target Yan Diomande prepares to move to Real Madrid instead.
In truth, it’s been weeks since it looked as though Liverpool had a realistic chance of signing Yan Diomande, their preferred replacement for Mohamed Salah – but his eventual destination came as a surprise nonetheless.
The teenage Ivory Coast international has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid despite a long-standing assumption that he would move to PSG, a club who Diomande himself had publicly stated that he wanted to join. Real unexpectedly outbid the European champions, however, with the final transfer fee expected to rise beyond £100m, and one of the world’s most prodigiously talented young forwards is on his way to Spain.
Liverpool had been desperate to land Diomande but have ultimately been frustrated in their pursuit, and now face the daunting challenge of finding an alternative as they look for a way to replace a departed club legend – and the knock-on effects of Diomande’s move to Real Madrid may have made it even harder. Below, we’ve looked at some of the wingers on the Reds’ radar and the state of play with each potential transfer.
Bradley Barcola – PSG
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Liverpool’s Plan B appears to be Barcola, a France international who has struggled to carve out a nailed-on place in PSG’s starting line-up due to the depth of talent surrounding him. Unfortunately, the Ligue 1 side’s failure to sign Diomande may make this deal much more difficult to get over the line.
PSG had made it clear that they didn’t wish to sell Barcola and were reportedly ready to demand a nine-figure sum for his services, a stance which was expected to soften if they had successfully signed Diomande to replace him. Now, however, they have no incentive to sell the 23-year-old whatsoever.
Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs has reported that they have now increased his asking price to a colossal €170m (£145m) – that would shatter the British transfer record and is likely an exaggeration, but they certainly won’t sell him on the cheap. Arsenal are interested too, although if compelled to spend excessively they would prefer to sign Vinícius Junior if they can.
The good news is that Barcola has rejected the offer of a contract extension at PSG, which could encourage his current employers to adjust that staggering price tag downwards, but Diomande’s move to Madrid has made signing Barcola far less likely for Liverpool.
Michael Olise – Bayern Munich
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Before Liverpool began focussing on their efforts to sign Diomande, their first choice was former Crystal Palace star Olise, who has blossomed at Bayern Munich and was speculated to be a major target for Real themselves. With Diomande’s move, however, Olise surely won’t be headed to Spain and it’s possible that Liverpool ask the question once more.
The answer is still likely to be a resounding no. Bayern have no interest in selling Olise and Real’s bid for Diomande likely reflects the lack of headway they were able to make with the Frenchman. Liverpool will most probably have any bids rebuffed in the strongest terms, but thanks to the pre-existing rumours we can expect the gossip columns to bring the 24-year-old back into the conversation.
It’s also worth mentioning Bournemouth’s Rayan in the same breath. Another player they admire, Liverpool would likely have to offer more than £130m just to get Bournemouth to sit down at the table. As of right now, the situation with the 19-year-old is similar to that with Barcola and Olise – Liverpool like him and would be happy to sign him, but would have to break the bank to make it happen and it’s simply not looking likely at this stage in proceedings.
Francisco Conceição – Juventus
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We’re now entering the realms of the realistic, or at least the affordable. Reports from hit-and-miss Italian sources suggest that Liverpool have already approached Juventus to enquire about a deal for the diminutive 23-year-old, who would likely cost at least £40m.
A member of Portugal’s World Cup squad, Conceição has scored 11 goals in 82 games for the Old Lady since signing for them two years ago and while perhaps not a world-class replacement for Salah, his energetic and direct style of play should suit a side hoping to bring back the high-intensity style of play which was so successful during the Jürgen Klopp era.
Whether Conceição is a serious target or simply a player that Liverpool are keeping in mind as a back-up plan remains unclear at the time of writing, but Juventus will be open to offers – they had a financial black hole to fill this summer even before they failed to qualify for the Champions League. Conceição isn’t Salah, but at least he’s likely to be obtainable.
Pedro Neto – Chelsea
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There’s mounting speculation about the future of the Chelsea winger, who has been inconsistent since moving to Stamford Bridge but has still scored 19 goals in 103 games over the past two seasons.
The Evening Standard reported on Monday that Chelsea weren’t actively trying to sell Neto, but there have been quite a few suggestions in the media that they’d be open to offers after signing Morgan Rogers for a massive £117m – with Liverpool and Manchester City touted as possible destinations in the gossip columns.
As it stands, the links with Neto do appear to be gossip and little more, but Neto represents a potentially obtainable player with a proven track record at Premier League level. If Liverpool are struggling for a winger later in the transfer window, Neto could easily emerge as a possibility, but it looks like speculation for now.
Yankuba Minteh – Brighton & Hove Albion
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Liverpool have been monitoring Minteh for some time and while they’ve yet to make an enquiry for the Gambian winger, he remains a conceivable option – although Brighton are likely to set a very high asking price for the 22-year-old, who has three years left on his contract at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls are expected to ask for at least £70m to sell Minteh, who has blown hot and cold on the south coast but whose playing profile and long-term potential appeal to the Reds.
Despite the genuine interest, the rumour mill has been quite on Minteh’s future for several weeks now and there are few indications that he’s near the top of Liverpool’s shopping list. Should the Reds be scrambling for a signing towards the end of the window, however, there is every chance that Minteh enters the frame.