Liverpool supporters are wondering what happens next after Yan Diomande turned them down in favour of Paris Saint-Germain.
Reds fans had been expecting to see the Ivorian arrive as their marquee summer signing having seen their club push hard to take him from RB Leipzig.
But with that expectation now blown into oblivion, Liverpool are going to have to turn their attentions elsewhere. Bradley Barcola looks like the most likely alternative, but the Frenchman is more naturally a left winger, and with the Reds needing an addition on the right, he does not quite fit.
Who should Liverpool’s new top target be after being rejected by Yan Diomande?
This is a BIG blow to the Reds' summer plans 😓
A shortlist of three more alternatives has also been published, with Said El Mala, Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Yankuba Minteh all said to be of interest. But each of the trio look incredibly raw and none are exciting Liverpool supporters to any real degree.
As they did with Victor Munoz earlier in June, though, the Reds could emerge from nowhere to sign a player with no reported interest at all. The supposed ‘targets’ could simply be a smokescreen. If that is the case, then Roma’s Matias Soule is surely a strong candidate to be an out-of-the-blue Liverpool signing.
Matias Soule could be another Victor Munoz
Clearly, Liverpool have been doing work on alternatives to Diomande all summer long. The Reds always knew there was a chance they would not sign him, and that they would then have to pivot.
Such is the nature of transfers in 2026, every last little detail is reported, and it is very difficult for clubs to make a surprise signing like Liverpool did with Munoz. But it can happen, the Reds have already proven that.
READ MORE: Yan Diomande’s main reason for choosing PSG over Liverpool will really sting Reds supporters
If lightning does strike twice this summer, then Soule has to be a possible candidate. At 23, he is older than the other reported targets, but is much more proven at a good level as a result.
Having spent the past two seasons as a starter for Roma, Soule has already racked up over 100 senior appearances by the age of 23.
Seven goals and seven assists may not look superbly eye-catching on the surface, but that is comfortably more goal contributions than Minteh, and the same as Fernandez-Pardo.
Quick-footed, fast and with superb passing ability, Soule also looks like a much more polished player and, having played for Juventus before joining Roma, he also has experience of being at an elite club.
Name the five further signings Liverpool need to make after Victor Munoz this summer 👇
The Reds could reportedly target two forwards, two midfielders and a versatile defender…
Soule could leave Roma
Although there have been no public links to Liverpool for Soule, there have been rumblings in Italy that he could leave Roma.
On Sunday, La Roma24 reported that there remains a possibility of the Argentine being sold this summer in order to help Roma’s financial situation.
Soule is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, but the former Juventus man is said to be keen to remain in Europe if he is to leave his current team.
A price-tag of €40m is mooted, which would surely not be a problem for Liverpool at all, and would further the comparisons with Munoz.
Though it is fair to say that Soule is not a first-choice option for the Reds, anyone who is now signed would not be, with Diomande clearly the player Liverpool wanted.
Soule looks like a good fit, is seemingly available for a good price and has the potential to reach a much higher ceiling. We would certainly be keeping his name in mind until Liverpool’s next move is firmed up.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
