Liverpool handed ‘no-brainer’ transfer boost as £69m Yan Diomande price tag is revealed. Following Mohamed Salah’s emotional exit announcement, the Reds are monitoring five elite attackers including Michael Olise and PSG’s French sensation.
Is a record-breaking ‘marquee’ deal finally close at Anfield?
Liverpool is reportedly in the market for a brand new winger in the summer, as ReadLiverpoolfc identify who might well be on that star-studded shortlist.
That’s what David Ornstein has suggested, anyway, when quizzed recently on the Reds’ plans for the upcoming summer window, with the reliable journalist stating that “I expect a wide attacker to be signed, like a winger.”
This isn’t the craziest development, really, with the major news now that Mohamed Salah will be departing Liverpool at the end of the season, after a glittering nine years at the club.
Undoubtedly one of the finest to ever pull on the distinguished red jersey of Liverpool, with 255 goals and 122 assists next to his name from 435 games, it’s been clear this season that his powers have been noticeably waning, with only five goals picked up in the Premier League.
Moreover, Cody Gakpo has been on the receiving end of a lot of harsh criticism, himself, this campaign, with pundit Danny Murphy earlier in the season stating that the Dutchman’s form for Arne Slot’s men had “fallen off a cliff.”
Salah & Gakpo’s Premier League numbers – 24/25 vs 25/26:
| Player | Metric | 24/25 | 25/26 |
| Mohamed Salah | Goals | 29 | 5 |
| Assists | 18 | 6 | |
| Touches in opp box | 9.6 per 90 | 5.5 per 90 | |
| Dribble success % | 42.3% | 25.0% | |
| xG per 90 | 0.63 | 0.32 | |
| Cody Gakpo | Goals | 10 | 6 |
| Assists | 4 | 3 | |
| Big chances created | 38 | 9 | |
| Shot conversion % | 19.5% | 14.1% |
Some fresh blood looks to be on the agenda down the flanks, subsequently, with the rumour mill already throwing out some wild names Liverpool could look to target, when the drama of the summer window kicks back into gear.
Here are five elite wingers the reigning Premier League champions could soon welcome to Anfield, in the wake of Salah’s news.
1. Michael Olise
Liverpool would have to splash the cash again to try and land the services of Michael Olise this summer, with the Englishman arguably one of the most spellbinding talents in world football right now.
Indeed, Olise has tallied up a staggering 16 goals and 27 assists so far this season for the mighty Bayern Munich, but he might well fancy a return to the Premier League, having previously ripped up the intense division on the books of Crystal Palace.
2. Bradley Barcola
Much like Olise, who helped Bayern to convincingly overcome Atalanta in the Champions League, Bradley Barcola got in on the goalscoring action for Paris Saint-Germain recently against Chelsea in the illustrious competition.
The 23-year-old was impossible for the Blues to keep tabs on at points, with Barcola somewhat rivalling Olise’s numbers back in his native France, by amassing 12 goals and six assists from 38 games this season
Bradley Barcola: PSG career statistics (All Competitions):
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 23/24 | 39 | 5 | 8 |
| 24/25 | 64 | 21 | 20 |
| 25/26 | 38 | 12 | 6 |
| Overall | 141 | 38 | 34 |
PSG will put up some fight to keep their star-man around, though, as he has previously been touted to have a bumper £87m price-tag next to his name.
3. Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande won’t be walking away from current employers RB Leipzig on the cheap, either, with Diomande noted as having his own audacious valuation, coming in at the £80m mark.
The 19-year-old arguably demands such a high valuation, too, with the Ivorian causing widespread havoc in the Bundesliga this season – alongside Olise at Bayern – as a direct, menacing option down the left flank.
A stunning tally of 11 goals and eight assists has fallen into his lap from 29 overall outings for Leipzig this campaign, with the Premier League perhaps his next onward destination.
4. Maghnes Akliouche
Liverpool definitely looks to be predominantly targeting up-and-coming talents who ply their trades in both Germany and France, with AS Monaco sensation Maghnes Akliouche also standing out as another interesting possible signing in the wing department.
His numbers are a bit more modest, weighed up next to the ridiculous 25/26 season Olise is currently experiencing, but he is still catching Liverpool’s eye regardless, with skilful performances aplenty seeing him collect seven goals and eight assists for Monaco.
Around the Monaco first team ranks for some time now, he likely wouldn’t be fazed by the bright lights of Anfield if a deal were put on the table.
5. Jarrod Bowen
Equally, Jarrod Bowen wouldn’t be fearful of the step-up, considering he is a well-recognised Premier League talent at this stage of his career for West Ham United.
He wouldn’t be a flashy addition, but he could prove to be a very smart and shrewd purchase all the same, particularly if Slot and Co. can get him through the door for cheap, if the Hammers are relegated to the Championship.
With 113 Premier League goal contributions under his belt at the London Stadium, Liverpool would be fools not to try their luck with a deal for the 29-year-old leader, if the opportunity arose.
Replacing a 200-goal legend is a “no-brainer” in theory but a logistical mountain in practice. Liverpool’s recruitment team, led by Richard Hughes, faces a choice between established world-class output and high-ceiling potential.
The transition won’t be easy, but the names on the radar suggest Liverpool aren’t just looking to survive without Salah they’re looking to evolve.
