Liverpool face the impossible task of replacing Mohamed Salah this summer, with the Egyptian leaving Anfield after nine years, and are seemingly eyeing a swoop for Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande celebrates
Yan Diomande has been linked with Liverpool but he won't come cheap(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool have reportedly held meetings with Yan Diomande's agents over signing the star this summer, as their search to replace Mohamed Salah rolls on. The 'Egyptian king' will leave Anfield at the end of the season after a remarkable nine-year stint.
However, given his tally of 257 goals and 122 assists from the wing, finding a successor will be no easy feat. One player that the Reds have seemingly thrust their faith toward is 19-year-old Diomande, who has thrived in the Bundesliga since last year and has 12 goals and 17 assists to his name for Die Roten Bullen this season alone.
As per BILD, Liverpool are among a number of top clubs that are monitoring Diomande's situation at present. However, given the Germany outfit hope to keep a hold of him for another year, a deal will not come cheap.
Reports suggest that an asking price of around £86million has been slapped on the Ivorian. But that hasn't stopped a number of clubs - including Liverpool - from carrying on in their pursuit. Barcelona, however, have dropped out amid financial troubles, while other European giants credited with an interest in him will no doubt find it challenging to stump up the cash needed.
It is claimed that the Reds and Paris Saint-Germain have held meetings with the player's agents, both of whom are "particularly interested" despite failing to table a concrete offer just yet.
Manchester United were also thought to be interested in the talent, although it is thought that they have since cooled their interest.
It's believed that one way to sway Leipzig into a deal could be the option to strike an agreement at a slightly lower price, but allow Diomande to remain at the club for next season before officially moving to Anfield next summer.
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That would benefit all parties, given RB would enjoy another season with their talisman, who would be able to develop further before arriving on Merseyside.
However, Liverpool would then still have the issue of being a man short as a result of Salah's departure with no immediate replacement.
While the club could lean on the likes of Rio Ngumoha, who has thrived in part for the club this season, he is far from the finished article at just 17.
Arne Slot reacts
Arne Slot has the unenviable taks of finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah this summer(Image: PA)
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It comes as Liverpool have a number of areas in need of improvement this summer. With Hugo Ekitike out of action for up to nine months through an Achilles tendon rupture, the board would be wise to bring in a backup striker to Alexander Isak, who has also been hit with his own injury woes this season.
Elsewhere, the club could look to dip into the market for reinforcement at the back, considering Virgil van Dijk will be 35 when 2026/27 gets underway.
Micky van de Ven could be one star that the club look to pursue in the event that Tottenham Hotspur face relegation to the Championship, but given they are in no rush to sell the centre-half, a deal may not come cheap. They may also face stiff competition from a wealth of other clubs with United entering the race for his signature this week.
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