liverpoolecho.co.uk

Champions League club determined to hold onto Liverpool transfer target this summer

Liverpool will be in the hunt for new wingers this summer following the depature of Mohamed Salah

Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig is a summer transfer target for Liverpool

Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig is a summer transfer target for Liverpool(Image: Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

View Image

RB Leipzig are adamant that Liverpool target Yan Diomande is going nowhere this summer. The Reds are believed to be pursuing the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international and are prepared to rival Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.However, Leipzig chiefs are ready to swat away big-money offers after securing Champions League qualification. Their hardline stance could therefore hamper Liverpool's chances of landing the skilful teenager and also complicate the picture for PSG's Bradley Barcola, who is also on Liverpool's radar, along with new Premier League champions Arsenal.PSG are primed to consider offers for Barcola if they can land £85million-rated Diomande, who is also at the centre of a legal dispute.

The forward signed with Jay-Z's agency Roc Nation Sports in February, but rival company Maxidel - owned by ex-Leeds man Max Gradel - claim Diomande is still "contractually bound" to their stable.

At the beginning of the year, Maxidel claimed they'd renewed terms with the Ivorian gem before he allegedly changed representatives.

The ECHO's sister paper, the Mirror, understands that The Court of Arbitration for Sport is now investigating and has registered a case which will require Diomade to comply.It's partially why there is a firm chance he will stay put in Germany. Manchester United had also shown interest, which has now cooled as they're prioritising a midfield overhaul.

Arne Slot has confirmed that Liverpool will be working to sign "at least one" winger this summer, following the departure of Mohamed Salah.

"One of the reasons why everyone is talking about wingers is because Mo is leaving," Slot said.

"It makes complete sense to think about 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."

*FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page*

Read full news in source page