Yan Diomande is the frontrunner to replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, but PSG’s interest in the 19-year-old should lead FSG to a particular conclusion.
The European champions have been a thorn in Liverpool’s side since Arne Slot’s arrival at Anfield, and they are again trying to disrupt the Reds by hijacking the move for RB Leipzig’s star attacker.
Diomande would cost Liverpool a pretty penny, and might not even be the best option to come into the front line. That’s why PSG should be left to recruit Diomande, giving Liverpool a clear run at one of their elite attacking options.
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Virgil van Dijk vs Mohamed Salah
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Liverpool can sign Bradley Barcola from PSG instead of Yan Diomande
We have been told that Liverpool admire three PSG players — Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola. The latter has hit a stumbling block in his negotiations with the Parisians over a new contract.
PSG have no shortage of wide options, and there may be scope for one of them to leave in the summer.
Especially after Sky Germany reported that Diomande is high on their list for a summer transfer.
Yan Diomande during Borussia Mnchengladbach v RB Leipzig - Bundesliga
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Diomande and Barcola aren’t identical profiles, but they do fulfil a similar role. If PSG are willing to splash £87 million on the winger, it wouldn’t be for a place on the bench. That’s where the possibility of signing Barcola stems from.
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He has yet to extend his contract and seeing Diomande come in might be enough for him to rethink his PSG future.
Bradley Barcola vs Yan Diomande by the stats
As I said, they aren’t the exact same type of player but they fit the mould of the modern wide attacker — quick, good dribbling, an eye for a pass and clinical finishing.
Here’s how their numbers compare.
Yan Diomande (Bundesliga) League stats Bradley Barcola (Ligue 1)
29 Apps 23
2,137 Mins 1,400
12 Goals 10
6 Assists 1
4.30 Dribbles per 90 1.93
2.11 Chances created per 90 2.12
Barcola has been less of a regular in the PSG side due to injury and fierce competition, while Diomande has been given the keys to the attack.
The Ivorian is one of the best dribblers in Europe this season, and he has a clear edge over Barcola in that regard. When you look at goalscoring, though, the Frenchman has been more effective in his minutes.
Diomande is going to be a special player, but the teenager would be taking a huge leap into a Liverpool side in desperate need of attacking help. As exciting as he is, I’d take the lower-risk option of Barcola — a Champions League winner — who is just now entering his prime.
He’d likely be a significantly cheaper option, too.
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