Diomande Deal Stalls as Liverpool Navigate Agency Tangle; Jacquet Set for Surgery Green Light

Liverpool's ambitious summer recruitment plans have hit a significant speed bump in their chase for Yan Diomande, with negotiations now effectively frozen over matters beyond the pitch.

The Ivorian defender, valued in the region of £87m, emerged as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah following a disappointing campaign at Anfield. However, journalist Sacha Tavolieri has revealed that the Reds have been forced to pump the brakes on discussions after uncovering a contractual wrinkle that threatens to derail the entire operation.

According to Tavolieri's report, Diomande remains bound to his former agency by a valid agreement running until December 2027 — a contract duly registered with the English FA. Complicating matters further, the defender has assigned his image rights to that same outfit, a crucial element that must be resolved before Liverpool can proceed with contract negotiations.

"A deadlock that is forcing Liverpool to wait until the personal situation is resolved before moving forward," Tavolieri explained, effectively placing the deal in limbo until the contractual tangle can be untangled.

It represents a frustrating state of affairs for Slot's side, who have already splashed north of £400m on summer signings and find themselves scrambling to strengthen a squad that has catastrophically underperformed expectations.

On a more positive note, Liverpool have moved swiftly on the Jeremy Jacquet front. The Rennes centre-back, who will arrive at Anfield for approximately £60m including add-ons, suffered a serious shoulder injury that threatens to sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Yet rather than dither, Liverpool have given the green light for surgery should medical professionals deem it necessary. The club has made clear to Jacquet's representatives that they want any required operation performed immediately, with the focus firmly on protecting his long-term development and avoiding prolonged uncertainty.

Liverpool's medical team have already coordinated closely with their Rennes counterparts, sharing scans and reports to determine the optimal surgical pathway. Once the procedure is complete and rehabilitation underway, the defender will continue his recovery under the club's supervision upon arrival at Merseyside.