Liverpool are increasingly likely to target a summer move for Yan Diomande, four sources now confirm, with the RB Leipzig star now seen as the ideal replacement for Mohamed Salah and with the Reds learning how the 19-year-old\u2019s asking price could yet tumble from its current \u20ac100m price point.<\/p>\n
Salah<\/a> has written himself into Merseyside folklore since signing for a bargain \u00a336.9m from Roma in July 2017, and will unquestionably be remembered as one of the greatest ever players to wear the Liverpool<\/a> shirt. With a whopping 252 goals to his name across 452 appearances for the Reds, the Egyptian is now third on the club\u2019s all-time top scorers list, averaging an incredible 28 goals per season at Anfield.<\/p>\n However, this season, his star has faded quite noticeably, and with just seven goals to his name thus far, Salah is in line for easily his worst-ever numbers in a Liverpool shirt, and a marked drop down from his 34-goal tally last season.<\/p>\n Given his tantrum in the weeks leading up to AFCON, where he was dropped from the side, and he publicly accused someone at the club of \u201cthrowing him under the bus\u201d, there is a growing sense that this summer will result in a long-expected parting of ways.<\/p>\n The fact that it also represents Liverpool\u2019s last year to claim a big fee for a star who turns 34 this summer also represents another solid reason for the Reds to cash in; so much so that it makes complete sense that the Reds are indeed scouring the globe for a player capable of stepping into his very sizeable shoes.<\/p>\n Indeed, our transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, revealed as far back as December 9 that Liverpool were in what he was told was\u00a0\u2018almost daily contact\u2019 with Diomande\u2019s representatives about a future move to Anfield<\/a>.<\/p>\n Per Fletcher, Diomande has been watched regularly this season with\u00a0Liverpool\u2019s CEO of football, Michael Edwards, and chief scout Barry Hunter, with the latter almost a regular at Leipzig\u2019s matches.<\/p>\n And the Reds\u2019 eyes and ears will no doubt have been impressed by what they have seen from the teenage star, who now has an impressive 15 goal contributions from just 25 appearances this season.<\/p>\n With a potential move also understood to have now won the support of sporting director Richard Hughes and manager Arne Slot, there is a growing sense that the 19-year-old has the scruples and ability to succeed Salah at Anfield, and with three more sources also now talking up the prospects of a move to Anfield this summer\u2026<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Liverpool pushing hard to sign Yan Diomande \u2013 multiple sources<\/p>\n Indeed, the well-connected Alex Crook of talkSPORT<\/a> reports that the Reds are \u2018ready to join the race\u2019 to sign Diomande, noting that Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Tottenham are also keen.<\/p>\n ESPN\u2019s Ed Dove<\/a> also feels that Diomande is considered an \u2018ideal candidate\u2019 to replace Salah at Anfield, stating: \u201cOn paper, Diomande looks to be a fine fit for Liverpool, and an ideal candidate to replace Salah.<\/p>\n \u201cHis speed in wide areas, ability to beat a man, creativity, end product and youth match the kind of profile that that club value, while he\u2019d fit effectively into Slot\u2019s plans, with a resale value that should make him an astute addition for the Merseysiders.<\/p>\n \u201cHis bravery in possession, taste for expansive attacking play, as well as a refreshingly relaxed and professional attitude, would surely appeal to Reds fans, even if a fading Salah will leave big shoes to fill.\u201d<\/p>\n A move to Anfield has also been talked up by the trusted Liverpool journalist David Lynch, who has confirmed that Diomande now figures very highly on FSG\u2019s watchlist.<\/p>\n \u201cDefinitely Diomande is being watched really closely,\u201d Lynch said<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s not to guarantee they will go for him, but he\u2019s definitely on Liverpool\u2019s radar, but he\u2019s on the radar of a lot of clubs.<\/p>\n \u201cI can guarantee that he\u2019s definitely being watched. The wing position is something Liverpool are eyeing now, I\u2019d be surprised if next summer passes without a winger being added. So, he\u2019s on that radar, but it\u2019s kind of up to him now to keep that level going to keep showing he\u2019s ready to make that jump.\u201d<\/p>\n On question marks that, at 19, Diomande might be considered too young to step into Salah\u2019s shoes, Lynch added:\u00a0\u201cA few years ago, you\u2019d say he\u2019s only 19, he\u2019s not got very many games behind him at all, not a big record of production, but Liverpool kind of have to move earlier now because everybody else is moving earlier.<\/p>\n \u201cPreviously, I would have said he\u2019s not ready for Liverpool to spend big money on him now, but it\u2019s very hard to predict that these days because the whole kind of approach has changed a little bit and they\u2019re willing to go a little bit earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n Diomande fee could come down; where next for Salah?<\/p>\n Our sources state that Diomande will cost at least \u20ac100m (\u00a387m) to sign, and potentially even as much as \u20ac120m (\u00a3105m).<\/p>\n But\u00a0talkSPORT\u00a0reports that the 19-year-old is available for around \u00a380m (\u20ac92m), and that fee \u2018could come down<\/a> if Leipzig miss out on Champions League football next season.\u2019<\/p>\n Leipzig currently sit fifth in the Bundesliga, two points behind fourth-placed Stuttgart.<\/p>\n We also understand Liverpool are the \u2018most advanced\u2019 club in the chase for Diomande<\/a>. Liverpool once again sent scouts to watch him score against Wolfsburg on Sunday.<\/p>\n In a boost for Slot\u2019s side, the teenager has twice spoken about a blockbuster move to Anfield. He revealed in January<\/a>:\u00a0\u201cI want to play at Anfield, I want to play for Liverpool. I\u2019m a big Liverpool fan. My father\u2019s dream is to see me play for Liverpool.\u201d<\/p>\n Clarifying his comments earlier this week, Diomande said<\/a>:\u00a0\u201cPeople made it out to be my dream club, but first and foremost, it\u2019s my dad\u2019s favourite club.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was always his great wish to see me play there someday because he loves the atmosphere at Anfield.<\/p>\n \u201cHe always raved about Steven Gerrard. I was too young to see him play. We didn\u2019t even have a TV at home for a long time.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a lot of respect for Liverpool, but my dream club right now is Leipzig.\u201d<\/p>\n