Report: Liverpool have set their sights on a move for forward with £86m release clause | OneFootball

Yan Diomande Emerges as Leading Liverpool Target

Liverpool’s summer rebuild appears to be gathering pace, with Yan Diomande emerging as a prime target for Arne Slot as the club prepares for life after Mohamed Salah.

According to Dominic King of the Telegraph, Liverpool are “prioritising the signing of a new right winger to replace Mohamed Salah, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande a top target”.

It is the kind of transfer strategy that tells its own story. Salah’s departure leaves a void that cannot truly be filled by one player, not after nine years of relentless excellence, but Liverpool are searching for a forward capable of restoring pace, unpredictability and attacking menace from wide areas.

Diomande fits that brief.

The 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in Germany, producing 13 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. The Ivorian international, already capped nine times by his country, has quickly become one of Europe’s most coveted young attackers.

King described him as an “exciting Ivorian forward” and noted that Liverpool have been monitoring his progress closely throughout the season.

His release clause sits at around €100 million, roughly £86 million, although Liverpool may attempt to negotiate a lower fee through a player-plus-cash arrangement.

Dominic King Reveals Liverpool Transfer Thinking

Liverpool’s recruitment staff are no strangers to RB Leipzig. Recent deals involving Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konaté and Naby Keïta have created strong working relationships between the clubs, something that could become important if negotiations intensify.

King also reported that Liverpool are considering alternative options. Anthony Gordon remains under observation after Newcastle United previously offered him to Liverpool in 2024, while Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is another admired figure inside Anfield.

Yet Diomande appears to stand apart because of the profile he offers.

Liverpool’s attacking numbers dipped significantly following the sale of Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich, while Salah’s influence inevitably declined during his final campaign at the club. The consequences were visible throughout the season as Slot’s side struggled for consistent cutting edge from wide positions.

King wrote that “Slot is well aware of how deficient Liverpool have been on the flanks and he is eager to correct the situation”.

That concern was echoed directly by the Liverpool manager himself.

“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?”

Slot continued: “One of the reasons why we were so difficult to play against was because we had threats over on the right and the left side.”

The Dutchman also highlighted how heavily Liverpool’s system relies upon relationships between full-backs and wide forwards.

“It was not only the wingers,” he explained. “It is the combination between the winger and the full-back. Last season, I think if you had to describe the style of play I would describe it as very reliant on the winger-full-back combinations.”

Arne Slot Demands Greater Pace and Aggression

There is little mystery surrounding what Slot wants from his rebuilt Liverpool side.

Speed. Aggression. Directness.

Those qualities were often absent during a frustrating campaign in which Liverpool’s attack lacked the explosiveness supporters had become accustomed to under previous eras.

Diomande’s numbers suggest he could help solve that issue. His 23 goal involvements comfortably outperform several of Liverpool’s current wide options and underline why the club’s analysts value his potential so highly.

At 19, there is also room for development, something Liverpool place enormous importance upon when investing significant transfer fees.

King’s report also pointed towards Liverpool’s determination to avoid blocking the pathway of highly-rated teenager Rio Ngumoha. That consideration partly explains why the club resisted earlier moves for Barcola despite admiring the French attacker’s qualities.

Diomande, however, may represent the perfect balance between elite potential and tactical suitability.

Liverpool supporters understand there is no replacing Salah in a conventional sense. His record of 377 goal involvements in 442 appearances places him among the greatest players in the club’s history.

But the next chapter at Anfield has already begun.

And if Dominic King’s reporting proves accurate, Yan Diomande could soon become one of the central figures in Liverpool’s future.