Exclusive: “In The Driving Seat…” – Paul Gorst On ‘Fearless’ Liverpool Target | OneFootball

With the World Cup now in full swing, Liverpool stars past and present have been making waves in the most-watched sporting event of the year.

Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo have both scored for the Netherlands, whilst club record signing Alexander Isak will be hoping to put a nightmare season behind him after his goal and two assists for Sweden.

Recently departed club legend Mo Salah will be trying to steer his Egypt side into the knockout stages for the first time, whilst the likes of Florian Wirtz will have an eye on the latter stages of the competition with Germany having qualified as winners of Group E.

Kopites around the world have been paying particular attention to Group E and the performances of Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, who has been linked with a big-money move to Anfield from RB Leipzig. Die Mannschaft legend Jürgen Klinsmann described the Ivorian as a ‘very special player’ following the match between the two countries last week.

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On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we asked the Liverpool Echo’s LFC correspondent, Paul Gorst, for the latest on the Diomande links.

Paul said: “I think Liverpool are certainly in the driving seat. I think the prospect of PSG is there, but I think they’ve got more competition for places and probably less need to buy.

“Liverpool have got a Mohamed Salah-shaped hole in their squad, haven’t they? Liverpool made it clear last week that they were willing to bid up to £86m, which would be €100m.

“Leipzig are holding out for £112m, which would be €130m, but they’re also very reluctant to sell. So still a way to go on this one.

“He was asked about his future, Diomande, after the Ecuador game at the World Cup, and he didn’t exactly say that he wouldn’t be against the move to England. He wasn’t really nailing his colours to the Leipzig mask, I think it’s fair to say.

“I think a lot of things are pointing towards Liverpool being successful in this race. Leipzig, for all their protestations about selling, they are a selling club, aren’t they?

“Gun to my head, I would say Liverpool will get Diomande. I think they will be successful in this one, but that’s just my opinion at this stage.”

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REDMEN REACTS

Liverpool’s misfiring attack was one of the many reasons for their struggles last season and will have been a contributory factor in the departure of Arne Slot. The Reds need a replacement for Mo Salah and have bolstered the ranks with last week’s signing of Víctor Muñoz. Diomande – described as ‘fearless’ by Gary Neville – is certainly an exciting player and is amongst the most coveted youngsters in European football. With the mooted fee now pushing over the £100m mark, the pressure to succeed immediately could weigh heavily on young shoulders. The Reds simply cannot afford another player with a nine-figure transfer fee to struggle to adapt to life at Anfield as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak have done. There are examples of teenagers joining big clubs for big money who have become key men for their sides, such as Vini Jr. at Real Madrid. However, there are also cautionary tales, such as Atlético’s purchase of João Félix. If the 19-year-old does arrive this summer, a fast start is absolutely vital.