Liverpool Eye Wharton and Diomande in £152m Summer Overhaul

Liverpool are preparing for a significant summer recruitment drive that could see them land both Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton and RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, in what would represent a combined investment of around £152m.

The Merseyside club splashed out over £400m in last summer's transfer window as owners sought to capitalise on Arne Slot's promising first campaign. Yet despite claiming the Premier League title, Liverpool's form has collapsed this term, leaving them languishing in fourth place—a full 14 points adrift of runaway leaders Arsenal, who finished a distant ten points behind them last season.

Questions linger over whether Slot will remain in the hot seat beyond this campaign, with suggestions the club might opt for a change of direction once the season concludes. Regardless, their transfer strategy appears set to continue unaltered.

Recent whispers indicate Liverpool are preparing a concrete bid in the region of €100m (£86m) for Diomande, the 19-year-old Leipzig winger. However, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on any January departure for the prospect.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained: "Yan Diomande remains a name that keeps cropping up because he's widely regarded as one of the world's finest young wingers. But RB Leipzig are adamant they're keeping him through January.

"Even with Manchester United dispatching scouts repeatedly and Tottenham ready to strike immediately with a serious financial package, Leipzig's stance hasn't budged. They've made their position crystal clear.

"Leipzig won't entertain selling Diomande this January. They're not chasing funds after their summer business—Benjamin Sesko, Lois Openda and Xavi Simons all departed. The club's message is the player stays put for now, but come summer it becomes a free-for-all. United are scouting, Tottenham are in the mix and PSG are monitoring closely too."

The summer picture looks considerably different for Wharton. Spanish outlet Fichajes reports Liverpool are targeting the Crystal Palace midfielder, with the Eagles having signalled their willingness to negotiate a departure ahead of the off-season.

Palace won't entertain anything less than £65m plus add-ons, though figures as high as £100m have been mooted elsewhere. Liverpool view Wharton as the perfect complement to their midfield talents, capable of elevating the performances of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.

Despite uncertainty surrounding Slot's future, Liverpool's long-term vision at Anfield remains unshaken. The club are reportedly keen to move swiftly on Wharton come summer, hoping to avoid the kind of bidding war that would further inflate his asking price.