Liverpool to engage in bidding war for £35m star as contact confirmed | OneFootball

Even though the transfer window won't be open for a few months yet, Liverpool are still being linked with a new player almost every day.

The Reds are in dire need of reinforcement and, if they don't manage to drastically improve their ranks next season, they could end up even worse off than they are now.

The Champions League is the only thing that the Anfield outfit have going for them at the moment and, since they were beaten 1-0 by Galatasaray on Tuesday evening, it's unclear whether they'll even get to the quarter-finals.

If they don't manage to beat the Turkish Super Lig outfit, some serious questions will need to be asked and some major changes will need to be made in both the staff and player departments.

As mentioned, the transfer window isn't even open yet but that hasn't stopped Liverpool from entering a few bidding wars to try and bolster their ranks.

Liverpool in 'close contact' for Moussa Diaby as bidding war looms

A fresh update from TEAMtalk has outlined that former Aston Villa ace Moussa Diaby is on the Reds' list of potential targets to replace Mohamed Salah with the club giving 'serious thought' to signing the Frenchman.

Diaby is now 'keen' on a return to Europe after his underwhelming stint in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Ittihad currently value the attacker at around £35 million with the Saudi club 'open' to a loan with an option to buy if it comes to that point.

Liverpool are said to be in 'close contact' with Diaby's representatives, however, since other clubs such as Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle United are also interested in the former Villa man, an 'intense bidding war' could commence for the attacker.

This would be a far from ideal situation for Liverpool, especially since they won't want to spend any more than £35 million on the attacker due to his poor goal returns this term.

Moussa Diaby would be a massive transfer risk for Liverpool

When Diaby played for Aston Villa, there were times when his best qualities shone through.

However, as his time with the Villans went on, it was clear that the best thing he brought to the table was his pace.

And, as useful as that is, it's not something that often works in the Premier League and, since his final third form isn't the best, it feels like the Frenchman would be a rather risky signing.

In the 33 games he's played for Al-Ittihad this season, the attacker has played 33 games across all competitions and has only sored three goals.

He has made 13 assists for his teammates but, since the Saudi Pro League is a fair few levels below the Premier League, it's unclear whether those numbers would translate.

Diaby can be used on either wing if needed but, the fact that he'd be 27 by the time he joined Liverpool would also need to be taken into consideration, especially since he's expected to be the Reds' long-term Salah replacement.

There are a lot of moving parts in football and things can change in a heartbeat but, even though Arne Slot is in contact with Diaby's representatives at the moment, it feels like a rather dodgy deal for the club to pursue.