Liverpool’s first choice to replace Mohamed Salah has been revealed, and it’s not great news.
As the campaign moves towards its end, more attention is turning to the transfer market as clubs look to get their summer business in order. For Liverpool, there is plenty to do. A midfielder, a left-back and further additions may all be needed, especially if more sales are sanctioned.
But in the search for a new elite winger, the Reds appear to have landed on Yan Diomande. He is being discussed as the priority target, despite his own words doing little to encourage Liverpool.
Should Arne Slot drop Mohamed Salah from the squad to face Brentford? 👀
A sour end could be in store…
Liverpool want RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande above anyone
Diomande is exactly the kind of winger Liverpool should be looking at.
The 19-year-old has pace, creativity and the ability to play across the front line, while his progress at RB Leipzig has already marked him out as one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe.
Speaking to Anfield Index, David Lynch suggested Diomande is at the forefront of the Reds’ thinking.
Discussing Leipzig’s forwards, he said: “I think definitely have watched Diomande much more [than Antonio Nusa], and I think if Liverpool could get him this summer they would absolutely love to.
“So you know maybe they’ve kept an eye on Nusa alongside him, you know age bracket and kind of quality level where he’s playing, you know maybe tick some boxes but I haven’t heard anything about him.
“I’d be surprised if Diomande is not the first choice to be honest.”
That creates a complication. Diomande plans to stay at Leipzig, having made it clear that he is happy in Germany after the club secured Champions League qualification.
We have seen too many broken promises from star players to treat that as the end of the conversation. Football changes quickly, and Liverpool should know that one serious offer can alter a player’s thinking.
But Leipzig being back in the Champions League, combined with the Ivorian’s clear affection for the club, makes this very tricky.
You can give one rarely-used Red a chance against Brentford. Who gets your vote? 👀
If he really is Liverpool’s top Salah replacement, though, this is not one to abandon easily. Players capable of filling that role are extremely rare. Liverpool may have to test just how committed Diomande really is.
- READ MORE: Yan Diomande’s Liverpool snub looks even worse after Dominik Szoboszlai’s Red Bull admission
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
