RB Leipzig are unlikely to accept the proposal of a swap deal from Liverpool for Yan Diomande this summer.
Diomande has emerged as a priority for the Reds as they search for a remedy to the wide attacking problems which have plagued them all season.
Cody Gakpo has been a big part of the issue as he struggles to cope with being Liverpool‘s regular starting left winger, but according to journalist Christian Falk, any attempt to swap Gakpo for Diomande will be rebuffed by Leipzig.
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Leipzig have no interest in Gakpo
After a breakout season in the Bundesliga, Diomande is currently expected to move on from Leipzig this summer. However, when he does, it will likely be for an enormous fee.
Any notion of a discount swap deal has been kiboshed by Falk, who has claimed that rumours of a Gakpo/Diomande exchange should be given short shrift.
“It’s true that Liverpool are looking very closely at Diomande,” he told Bayern Insider. “I heard they were at the last matches, always scouts of Liverpool are in the stadium watching him. But there are also scouts of Paris Saint Germain, so be careful! Leipzig would sell if there were any offers above 100 million Euros.”
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“There were rumours about a swap deal. Cody Gakpo could be the man who goes to Leipzig and on the other hand Diomande to Liverpool, but there’s no truth in it.
“I heard there was no offer from Liverpool because of this player and also Leipzig wouldn’t make this swap deal because he’s too expensive. They have another profile, they’re searching for younger players who can develop, so they’re not interested in Gakpo.”
Analysis: Liverpool should keep Gakpo
It may not be a popular opinion at this stage, but there is no real sense in Liverpool getting rid of Gakpo this summer.
The 26-year-old has been one of their worst performers in what has so far been a rotten season, but the Reds need more wingers, not fewer of them.
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A seven-man shortlist has already been reported:
- Desire Doue
- Bradley Barcola
- Nico Williams
- Yan Diomande
- Anthony Gordon
- Jarrod Bowen
- Michael Olise
Already losing Mohamed Salah, and likely Federico Chiesa as well, letting Gakpo become another departure would leave Arne Slot desperately short in wide areas.
Instead, Liverpool should be looking to retain the Dutchman while also adding better players to compete with him.
Diomande could be one of those, but his arrival should be to offer an alternative to Gakpo, rather than straight up replacing him. Thankfully, it sounds like Leipzig’s stance means Liverpool losing their No. 18 is one step further away.
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