Liverpool are expected to sign a Mohamed Salah replacement this summer and RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande is reportedly on their wishlist
Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing Yan Diomande this summer but also have two transfer alternatives in mind.
Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing Yan Diomande this summer but also have two transfer alternatives in mind(Image: (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images))
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Liverpool know they have a big summer transfer window on the horizon as they look to replace Mohamed Salah.
The Reds have been credited with an interest in RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with the Telegraph claiming the Ivory Coast international is at the top of Arne Slot's wish-list.
However, Diomande has a reported £86m release clause in his current contract with the Bundesliga club and the Reds will have to part with big money if they want to sign the 19-year-old this summer.
Diomande has been one of the standout performers in Germany this season, with 13 goals and ten assists in all competitions with Leipzig.
The Ivorian, who has nine appearances for his country already, only signed for RB Leipzig last summer from La Liga side Leganes in a deal worth a reported £17.3m after matching his release clause.
It remains to be seen whether the Reds will part with such a hefty transfer fee for a player who has such little first team experience.
The report claims Liverpool are also keeping a close eye on Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, who is expected to leave St. James' Park this summer.
The England international was linked with a move to Anfield last summer, with the boyhood Reds fan keen on a move.
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United
Anthony Gordon has long been linked with a move to Anfield(Image: Getty Images)
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Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also being linked with a move for Gordon this summer, with the German side in talks with the Magpies.
PSG wide man Bradley Barcola is another forward being linked with a move to Anfield as a potential replacement for Salah, and alternative to Diomande.
Slot's side were lacking in pace and directness in wide areas of the pitch after Luis Diaz's departure, with the Liverpool boss making it clear his side needed to improve in that area of the pitch.
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"One of the reasons why everyone is talking about wingers is because Mo is leaving," Slot said when discussing the upcoming summer transfer window. "It makes complete sense to think about [signing] at least one.
"I think last season gives you the answer. How important were our wingers last season for our success? They were scoring goals, providing goals, so they were a vital part of us winning the league last season and, in general in football, you see more and more focus on wingers.
"One of the reasons why we were so difficult to play against was because we had threats over on the right and the left side. It was not only the wingers. It is the combination between the winger and the full-back.
"Last season, I think if you had to describe the style of play I would describe it as very reliant on the winger-full-back combinations. We have tried that this season again, but there hasn’t been the end product that we had last season.
"That is not to say it is only about them. We all, me included, didn’t bring the same level that we brought last season."