Liverpool's Board Backs Diomande as Salah's Long-Term Replacement

Liverpool's hierarchy have given the green light to pursue RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande as the man to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah's impending departure. The Egyptian icon will exit Anfield this summer on a free transfer, bringing an illustrious chapter to a close despite having twelve months remaining on his existing terms.

With Salah heading for the exit and Federico Chiesa also expected to leave, the Reds are gearing up for a significant rebuild on the flanks. The club plans to invest heavily in wing reinforcements, targeting at least one and potentially two elite operators.

Newcastle's Anthony Gordon remains firmly on the radar, with sources indicating the England winger would favour a move to Merseyside over Bayern Munich should the opportunity arise. Gordon, valued in the region of £70m-£75m, would operate on the left side. The right-flank vacancy – Salah's domain – is where Diomande enters the picture.

The Leipzig prospect, who has netted 13 goals and provided eight assists across 31 appearances this campaign, represents Liverpool's priority target. All of the club's key decision-makers are aligned on the 19-year-old Ivorian, with earlier April reports labelling him the 'chosen one'.

According to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, concrete discussions are underway with Diomande's representatives at Roc Nation Sports, though no formal agreement has materialised and the two clubs have yet to enter formal negotiations. Leipzig, meanwhile, are attempting to tie down their prized asset with a salary increase and fresh terms through 2027.

Paris Saint-Germain, with Luis Campos orchestrating their efforts, are also circling, having already met with Diomande's agents.

The financial hurdle is substantial. Leipzig initially sought €100m (£87m), but Sky Germany's Philipp Hinze reports they are now demanding considerably more. The Bundesliga outfit feel emboldened by realistic Champions League qualification prospects and harbour no pressing need to sell.

Leipzig's assessment of Diomande's value has rocketed since acquiring him from Leganés last summer for €20m. In their view, that investment has more than quintupled in worth. Should Liverpool secure the signing at the rumoured asking price, Diomande would become the club's third most expensive acquisition ever, trailing only Florian Wirtz (£116m including add-ons) and Alexander Isak (£125m), but surpassing Darwin Núñez (£85m including add-ons).

Plettenberg's latest update confirms that Leipzig are scheduled to meet with Diomande's new agents in the coming days, with retention for the 2026-27 campaign their stated objective. However, the door remains ajar should Liverpool or PSG table an offer exceeding the €100m threshold – though Leipzig have signalled they will demand substantially more.