Ben Jacobs: Liverpool ‘actively working’ on three transfer targets | OneFootball

Liverpool Transfer News: Yan Diomande Alternatives Show Smart Recruitment Strategy

Liverpool’s pursuit of Yan Diomande remains firmly on course, but the club’s recruitment team are ensuring they are not left exposed if negotiations become increasingly complicated. With RB Leipzig standing firm over their valuation and interest from Paris Saint Germain continuing, contingency planning has become a significant part of Liverpool’s summer strategy.

Recent comments from Ben Jacobs offer valuable insight into how Liverpool are approaching one of the biggest potential transfers of the window. Rather than becoming fixated on a single target, the Reds are building multiple options into their plans while maintaining Diomande as their clear priority.

Liverpool Maintain Focus on Yan Diomande

Liverpool have already had an opening offer rejected for Yan Diomande and reports continue to indicate that an improved proposal, believed to be worth around €115 million, is being prepared.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough campaign with RB Leipzig and is currently concentrating on Ivory Coast’s historic World Cup campaign. His performances have only strengthened Liverpool’s admiration, while also attracting interest from Paris Saint Germain.

Even so, Liverpool’s recruitment model has long been built around careful planning rather than emotional decision making. That philosophy appears unchanged under new head coach Andoni Iraola, with sporting executives determined to avoid weakening their negotiating position.

Ben Jacobs Reveals Liverpool’s Contingency Plans

Speaking to Redmen TV, Ben Jacobs explained why Liverpool are simultaneously assessing several alternative attacking options.

Jacobs told Redmen TV: “As I revealed, three other targets are Matias Fernandez Pardo, who’s also at the World Cup, Said El Mala, who has had other Premier League interest this window, and Brighton’s Yacouba Minteh.

“So come what may, Liverpool are going to add another attacker, and Yan Diamonde remains their leading target. I think it’s fair to say they’re actively working on those alternatives simply because it gives you leverage in the market as well.

Photo: IMAGO

“Liverpool are not the kind of club to put all their eggs in one basket, and if they go all in on Diomande and don’t look at these other names, then they have less leverage.

“So, they’ll want, no doubt, as part of their conversations with Leipzig, for it to be clear that they can move on and there are other viable targets, and they want to be informed by the valuation of those targets too.

“So it can be helpful, as Andrea Berta is doing at Arsenal as well, to kind of concurrently line up multiple deals and then when you’re negotiating with Leipzig, you can point to other availability, other fees, and you can be informed by market movement, and that might mean that you get a better deal, because if Leipzig realised that Liverpool are only looking at Diomande, and Liverpool desperately want Diomande, and there’s competition from PSG for Diomande, and there’s no other options, there’s no other contingencies, there’s no other like for like profiles, then naturally, that price is just going to stay really, really high.

“So it’s smart by all well run clubs to start that extra sort of contingency planning around some of these other targets but if they can get Diomande, he’s obviously the one that they want.”

Those comments underline a recruitment process driven by preparation rather than urgency. Liverpool appear determined to ensure every negotiation is backed by credible alternatives, strengthening their position regardless of how talks with Leipzig develop.

Alternative Targets Remain Under Consideration

Among the players being monitored are Mathias Fernandez Pardo, Said El Mala and Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh, with Bradley Barcola also remaining a player previously admired by Liverpool.

That does not necessarily indicate uncertainty over Diomande. Instead, it reflects how elite clubs increasingly operate during complex transfer windows. Multiple negotiations often progress simultaneously, allowing recruitment departments to respond quickly if valuations change or rival clubs intensify their interest.

For Liverpool, this measured approach reduces risk while keeping pressure on selling clubs.

World Cup Remains Diomande’s Priority

For now, Yan Diomande himself has made it clear that transfer speculation is not occupying his thoughts.

Diomande said: “Right now, I don’t know. I am not thinking about my future after the World Cup. I am trying to put all my energy into the World Cup and we will see what is going to happen after that. I can say nothing about.”

That stance is unlikely to concern Liverpool. The club can continue negotiations behind the scenes while Diomande focuses entirely on Ivory Coast’s World Cup campaign. If an agreement can eventually be reached with RB Leipzig, Liverpool will feel their patience and disciplined planning have given them the strongest possible chance of securing one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers.