Liverpool Circle Tottenham's Kolo Muani as Salah Successor, Though Diomande Emerges as Top Target

Liverpool are weighing up Tottenham's Randal Kolo Muani as a candidate to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah's forthcoming departure, according to reports from Italy.

The Reds splurged over £400m on fresh talent last summer, with Fenway Sports Group backing marquee signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. Yet despite that investment, Arne Slot's side have underwhelmed this campaign. After claiming the Premier League title in their manager's inaugural season, Liverpool have slipped to fifth and look a shadow of their former selves across most competitions.

With Champions League football secured thanks to the Premier League's five available spots, the Reds now face a summer reckoning. Slot must reshape his squad after a disappointing defence of their crown.

Salah has already confirmed his summer exit, leaving Liverpool hunting for his replacement. Gazzetta Dello Sport claims the club have earmarked Kolo Muani, the France international currently at Spurs, as a viable option. The striker's estimated fee sits around €35m (£30m), with his annual wages pegged at roughly €7m per year. Liverpool believe Kolo Muani's versatility—particularly his capacity to operate across the forward line and drift to the right flank—makes him a suitable successor.

That interest has reportedly sent alarm bells ringing at Juventus, who had identified the 26-year-old as a priority target of their own.

However, the latest intelligence suggests Liverpool have already plumped for a different solution. Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg revealed this week that RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has been rubber-stamped by all of the club's decision-makers as their primary target to replace Salah. Concrete discussions with his representatives at Roc Nation Sports are underway, though no formal agreement exists and the clubs have yet to enter substantive negotiations.

Leipzig, buoyed by their realistic Champions League qualification prospects, are in no rush to sell. Philipp Hinze reports the German outfit are demanding over €100m for the Ivorian, a staggering rise from the €20m they paid Leganés last summer. Leipzig are also plotting a contract extension through 2027 with an improved salary package to keep him put.

PSG, under the direction of Luis Campos, remain in the hunt and have already held talks with Diomande's camp. Yet while Leipzig view the winger as a cornerstone piece, they're open to offers should a sufficiently tempting proposal arrive.