Liverpool have been dealt a major blow in their hunt for Mohamed Salah’s replacement after Yan Diomande picked Paris Saint-Germain as his next potential destination. The 19-year-old wants to head to France this summer if he departs RB Leipzig, who are asking for a whopping £112.1million (€130m) for his services.
The Reds have been heavily linked with Diomande as they prepare to replace club icon Salah on the wing. However, the Athletic claim PSG is the Ivory Coast international’s preferred destination if he leaves Germany in the coming weeks.
It’s claimed the teenager is keen on the project in Paris and believes heading to Ligue 1 gives him the best chance of silverware, both as a team and on a personal basis with one eye on the Ballon d’Or. It has now emerged Diomande has reached a verbal agreement with PSG with talks ongoing.
With the disappointment of losing out on their main target this summer, Liverpool must now push on and find other wingers to replace Salah. Thankfully, there are a number of poentials the Reds have had their eye on during the transfer window.
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Andoni Iraola could look elsewhere in Germany to find another winger to replace Diomande. Cologne’s Said El Mala is reportedly available for almost £70m less than his Bundesliga colleague.
The 19-year-old has 13 goals and five assists in 36 appearances for Cologne, impressing suitors with his pace and ability. German outlet FussballDaten reports the Reds are now showing interest in the winger, who is available for just £43.1m (€50m).
View 6 ImagesSaïd El Mala is another German-based winger Liverpool are interested in(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
It is claimed Liverpool view El Mala as a potential alternative to Diomande, or through the middle as an attacking midfielder. Other reports suggest that the Reds will face competition for the Cologne star, including from Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.
Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh is another star garnering interest across the Premier League this summer. The Athletic reports the Reds see the 21-year-old as another alternative to Diomande, with a budget of £40m set aside for his signing.
Minteh has 10 goals and nine assists for Brighton since joining in 2024 from Newcastle. He was a major part of the Seagulls’ 2-1 win over Liverpool in March and shone brightly against their defence.
View 6 ImagesYankuba Minteh shone for Brighton against the Reds last season(Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
The winger was also a bright spark under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, making 16 goal contributions in 37 games in the Netherlands.
Rayan is another option for Liverpool and could be tempted to head to Anfield thanks to Iraola’s arrival from Bournemouth. The duo briefly worked together during the manager’s time at the Cherries and the 19-year-old is also having a successful campaign so far at the World Cup with Brazil.
Rayan has seven goal contributions in 15 appearances for Bournemouth and assisted Vinicius Jr against Scotland in a 3-0 win last week. According to the i Paper, Iraola is keen to reunite with the attacker but faces an eye-watering release clause of £86m for his services.
View 6 ImagesRayan could reunite with his old boss at Anfield(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Reds were prepared to drop the same amount on Diomande, but he has a much higher goal-to-assist ratio than Rayan. Iraola may utilise his personal relationships with both the club and the player to reduce the clause and bring the winger to Anfield.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola was already a main target for the Reds as they pursued Diomande. Liverpool were credited with an interest by Fabrizio Romano, who claimed the club “love Barcola” and are “discussing him every week.”
The £80m-rated star is under contract until 2028 but a talks over a new deal have reportedly stalled. This could hand Liverpool a boost in signing the Champions League winner as he may opt for a big-money move to the Premier League over staying in France.
View 6 ImagesBradley Barcola was already a major target for Liverpool(Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Since joining from Lyon in 2023, the winger has 39 goals and 27 assists in 152 appearances while also solidifying a place in the France national squad. French outlet Le10 Sport claim that the Reds have made an attempt to sign Barcola and PSG are willing to allow his exit if he asks to leave.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo could be yet another winger option for the Reds. The Lille star has impressed in France across the entire front line, regularly featuring as a central striker for the club.
View 6 ImagesMatias Fernandez-Pardo is at the World Cup with Belgium(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The 21-year-old has 23 goal contributions in 71 appearances for Lille and has gained some important minutes for Belgium at the World Cup this summer. Newcastle are reportedly also interested since the Reds beat them to Victor Munoz’s signature and they are keen to avoid another hijack from their Premier League rivals.
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Fernandez-Pardo is valued at around £60m and could be a more affordable option for the Reds in comparison to the £112m-rated Diomande.
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