Diomande Deal Looks Dead in the Water – Iraola Eyes Trincao as Plan B

Fresh from taking the Liverpool hot seat this week following Arne Slot's departure, Andoni Iraola is already reshaping his transfer targets. While the Spanish manager remains keen on RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, the signs suggest that particular pursuit may be heading for the rocks.

Slot departed after winning the Premier League in his maiden season, leaving Iraola to grapple with an immediate challenge: bolstering the Reds' attacking department. Mohamed Salah's exit looms large, and Cody Gakpo's indifferent form has only sharpened the need for fresh winger recruitment.

Diomande emerged as Liverpool's primary target, despite fierce competition from PSG. The Bundesliga outfit, however, appears to have dug in its heels. According to reports, Leipzig believe another season in Germany would benefit both player and club, with the Ivory Coast winger showing no appetite for a move elsewhere. The German side would demand a fee exceeding €130million (£112.4m) to consider selling.

That astronomical asking price, coupled with Leipzig's determination to retain their star, has prompted Iraola to explore alternatives. Enter Francisco Trincao of Sporting CP. The Portuguese winger boasts a significantly more palatable €60million release clause and remains firmly at the top of Liverpool's secondary target list.

There's a catch, though. Sporting have made clear they won't entertain negotiations until after the World Cup concludes, meaning any deal would likely be pushed into the later stages of the summer window.

Diomande himself has only muddied matters further. Speaking to French media ahead of the tournament, the winger waxed lyrical about PSG's appeal, admitting his childhood admiration for the Parisian club and suggesting the prospect of joining them held obvious attraction. With his father a PSG supporter and French as a spoken language easing any potential transition, Diomande left the door firmly ajar for the Champions League holders.

For Iraola, the message is clear: the Diomande dream may be slipping away. Trincao could represent a more realistic path to strengthening his attack this summer.