Liverpool have a fair few areas within their squad that could do with strengthening throughout the summer transfer window.
The Reds have already brought Jeremie Frimpong to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen and certainly don’t look to be stopping there.
Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool move is also nearing completion, with the deal now entering its final stages.
Others, such as Milos Kerkez, have also been linked with a move, but one area that hasn’t been spoken about all that much is their centre-back.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
So, it’s not a surprise to see rumours now starting to crop up regarding potential centre-back targets that Arne Slot could chase.
Liverpool now keeping a ‘close eye’ on Ousmane Diomande
Much like Liverpool, Sporting seem to be in for a summer of change, with the future of star man Viktor Gyokeres at the centre of some intense transfer rumours.
Numerous Premier League clubs have thrown their hat into the ring after the Sweden international had the best season of his career.
Liverpool, however, seem to have their eyes set on a different target in Ousmane Diomande.
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That is, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, who say that the ‘siege’ on the centre-back is ‘tightening.’
Liverpool are not alone in their chase for the Ivory Coast international as Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Bayern Munich and Manchester United are also vying for his signature.
The report adds that a move would cost around €60million (£50.5m), which seems like a fair fee for the 21-year-old.
The report is rounded off by adding that a move from any of the aforementioned clubs may arrive on Sporting’s desk ‘in the coming days.’
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
What Ousmane Diomande’s arrival could mean to Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah’s Liverpool future has been up in the air this season due to the lack of game time that he’s received under Slot.
Many European clubs have shown an interest in the defender, with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen among those linked.
Of course, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk will be the Anfield outfit’s main pairing for the next couple of years, but with the duo not getting any younger, some decisions will have to be made.
Diomande is one of the most sought-after defensive prospects in world football at the moment and would be an impeccable signing for any team.
But, seeing as though Liverpool wouldn’t want his skills to diminish by sitting on the bench each week, changes would have to be made.
As Joe Gomez and Quansah are Liverpool’s only back-ups, one would likely have to leave.
Player Premier League games played Goals conceded Clean sheets
Jarell Quansah 13 12 0
Joe Gomez 9 8 1
The 2024-25 Premier League seasons of Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez in numbers.
And, to be honest, due to Gomez’s versatility, it’s hard to see why the Dutchman would want him to exit.
Indeed, Quansah can play at right-back, but with Frimpong having just arrived, his outings in that role are likely to be even less likely to occur next season.
So, with that in mind, should Diomande join Liverpool this summer, it could mean that they could be waving bye-bye to the towering Englishman.