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Liverpool register interest in 20-year-old Hoffenheim winger – would need ‘record fee’

Liverpool have reportedly expressed interest in Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Toure, but the German club would only sanction a sale for a club record fee.

With Mo Salah departing in the summer and a replacement for Luis Diaz never pursued, with Rio Ngumoha in mind, Liverpool’s need for new wingers in the summer is clear.

Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao, Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh, and RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande are among those to be mooted as options, as is 20-year-old Toure.

As previously reported by the *Mail*‘s Lewis Steele, Liverpool have “kept a watching brief” on Toure, and Sky Germany now state they have “become the first top English club to express interest.”

Described as a “rising star,” Toure has 11 assists and three goals in 25 Bundesliga appearances this season, and a sale this summer is currently described as “likely.”

It is claimed Hoffenheim have “been officially informed” of the Reds’ interest, but they are in a strong negotiating position as Toure is contracted until 2029 and he does not have a release clause.

The German club plans to make Toure their new record departure, which would need to surpass the €43.5 million (£37.8m) Newcastle paid to sign Joelinton in 2019.

It is a substantially lower fee than what RB Leipzig want for Diomande (€100m), though Toure is predominantly a left-sided winger, unlike his fellow Bundesliga wideman.

The duo both represent the Ivory Coast and, therefore, would be absent during the Africa Cup of Nations, which will become a four-year tournament from 2028.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 15, 2026: Liverpool substitute Milos Kerkez and Mohamed Salah (R) on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

There are positive reviews of Toure’s development since his move to Germany from Hammarby in 2025, with Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker saying: “Bazou has developed very well.

“We brought him from Sweden a year and a half ago. You can clearly see, week after week, the qualities he brings.

“With him, it’s like this: if there is interest – and you can already sense that because he keeps delivering every week – then it has to be at a level that may not have been seen before at Hoffenheim.”

Who is Bazoumana Toure?

Age: 20 (born March 2, 2006)

Club: Hoffenheim

Position: Winger

Foot: Left

Country: Cote d’Ivoire (five caps)

Toure currently ranks fifth in the Bundesliga for top speed, registering 35.98 km/h, narrowly behind Diomande (36.3 km/h), highlighting the focus on injecting pace back into the Liverpool squad.

He also ranks highest for sprints in the division this season, with 659, while he also has the third-most crosses from open play (84), underlining his threat in the final third.

The 20-year-old is a player committed to winning the ball, whether it be in the air or close to goal, seeing him rank in the top five percent, respectively, for players in his position, as per FotMob.

Before moving to Germany, Toure plied his trade in Sweden and registered nine goals and four assists in 23 appearances. Before that, he helped Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas win a domestic double in 2022/23.

He does not have vast senior experience, so would be categorised as a young player Liverpool would look to develop, in line with Slot’s words over not signing direct experienced players.

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