With Liverpool’s forward line suffering from injuries and a lack of form, the Reds could look for reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Semenyo Alternatives: 6 Targets for Liverpool
The wildcard: RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande has emerged as a top target after scoring a historic Bundesliga hat-trick. Leipzig have set a €100m (£86.5m) price tag.
The dream signing: Liverpool remain “seriously interested” in Michael Olise, who boasts 24 goal involvements for Bayern this term. However, Bayern are working on a new deal.
The Premier League fix: With Antoine Semenyo joining City, Liverpool could turn to Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh.
Last summer, Liverpool lost Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota. In attacking positions, they bought Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
The Reds already started the season down an attacker on last season, so to lose Alexander Isak until the spring and Mo Salah for AFCON has left them incredibly short.
Other options include Federico Chiesa, who is clearly not at the level to start often, and 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha has played just 48 league minutes this campaign.
Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo continues to frustrate on the left wing, with that position now evidently upgradable.
That leaves Hugo Ekitike, a success for sure but still a raw striker who can’t play every minute.
So, who is out there that could be targeted in the January transfer window?
While not everyone on this list is a realistic option for January, they are all versatile attacking players who would improve Liverpool’s squad.
The wildcard: Yan Diomande
• Club: RB Leipzig | Age: 19 | Foot: Right
• Goals: 6 | Assists: 2
• G/A per 90: 0.81
• Scouting Verdict: A prolific direct winger who has exploded in the Bundesliga; currently averaging nearly one goal contribution per game.
A breakout star in the Bundesliga this season, Diomande’s ascent has been rapid.
From playing in the fourth division of the American system just a couple of years ago, he got his move to Europe when Leganes signed him in January.
RB Leipzig had already spotted his talents, though, and they acquired him just six months later after triggering his his £17.3m release clause.
Their gamble has paid off massively, with Diomande scoring seven goals and providing four assists in just 16 appearances so far.
Liverpool’s link is currently tenuous, reporter Fabrizio Romano having told Give Me Sport that the Reds are one of at least four or five clubs to hold a genuine interest.
Meanwhile, the Athletic report: “Leipzig continue to insist that he’s not for sale in January and that, even in the summer, a club would have to produce a truly exceptional offer to sign him — likely in the region of that €100m (£86.5m) fee.”
The long-term prospect: Malick Fofana
• Club: Lyon | Age: 20 | Foot: Left
• Goals: 2 | Assists: 1
• G/A per 90: 0.37
• Scouting Verdict: A high-ceiling dribbler currently recovering from an ankle injury; stats are lower due to limited minutes before his October setback.
Malick Fofana has already confirmed that Liverpool showed interest in him over the summer.
However, a move in January is highly unlikely given he suffered a serious ankle injury in October, which will see him sidelined for a few months yet.
The only way this deal gets done mid-season is if Liverpool negotiate a lower price due to his injury, but this is improbable.
The Premier League option: Yankuba Minteh
• Club: Brighton | Age: 21 | Foot: Left
• Goals: 1 | Assists: 4
• G/A per 90: 0.29
• Scouting Verdict: An elite ball-carrier with high physical output; his low goal return is balanced by his high volume of chances created in the PL.
If the Reds are looking for a quick fix, then Yankuba Minteh could be their man, though he would have to fight with Salah for his spot on the right upon the Egyptian’s return from AFCON.
At 21 years old, Minteh is full of potential and boasts a great left foot. While his end product still needs refining – he has a lower goals and assists average this season than any player on this list – the Gambian would be an exciting signing.
Liverpool have previously been linked, too, with the Reds reportedly ‘expressing an interest’ in the summer of 2024.
The dream signing: Michael Olise
• Club: Bayern Munich | Age: 24 | Foot: Left
• Goals: 12 | Assists: 11
• G/A per 90: 1.15
• Scouting Verdict: The gold standard target; Olise is statistically the most productive attacker in Europe outside of the traditional ‘big two’ strikers.
While Michael Olise would come at a high price, the German press reported over £80m in October, he would be just what Liverpool need on the right.
With 10 goals and 14 assists already for Bayern this campaign, he is one of Europe’s outstanding attackers and is a class above the rest of the right-winger market.
Perhaps Olise could be tempted by a move back to the Premier League – he earns £200,000 per week currently – but we can’t see it happening in January unfortunately.
The summer prospect: Bradley Barcola
• Club: PSG | Age: 23 | Foot: Right
• Goals: 5 | Assists: 2
• G/A per 90: 0.56
• Scouting Verdict: A 1v1 specialist whose total output has dipped slightly as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia takes more of the creative burden at PSG.
Supporters saw the quality of Bradley Barcola when he started both legs of Liverpool’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain in March.
Cutting in from the right, he is full of trickery and pace, plus he has played through the middle and on the right on occasion.
Though the Frenchman has still started all six of PSG’s Champions League matches this season, he continues to be linked with a move to Anfield and Liverpool’s interest dates back many years prior to his move from Lyon.
He could be prised from PSG due to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia taking the spotlight from him on the left wing.
The one linked previously: Rodrygo
• Club: Real Madrid | Age: 24 | Foot: Right
• Goals: 2 | Assists: 4
• G/A per 90: 0.57
• Scouting Verdict: Despite fewer starts under Xabi Alonso this term, his efficiency remains high, averaging a goal involvement every 1.7 games.
Liverpool’s interest in Rodrygo goes way back. In fact, they were close to signing him for only £2.6m in 2016 when he was still a young Santos player.
While ongoing links to the Brazilian were dismissed by club sources in the summer, he is one of the best left-wing options out there.
His contract at Real Madrid runs until 2028, but he is reportedly considering a move away due to a lack of game time.
Under Xabi Alonso this season, he has played on the left and the right, starting just twice in the Champions League and six times in La Liga.
Transfer Guide: Attacking Targets 2026
Player
Age
Market Value
Michael Olise
24
€130m (£112.5m)
Bradley Barcola
23
€70m (£60.6m)
Rodrygo
24
€60m (£52m)
Yan Diomande
19
€45m (£39m)
Yankuba Minteh
21
€40m (£34.6m)
Malick Fofana
20
€38m (£32.9m)
* Values sourced from Transfermarkt.
Have Your Say
Should Liverpool sign an attacker in January?
Who should Liverpool be targeting in the January transfer market and do any of the players mentioned fit the bill?
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