Mohamed Salah has found it difficult to rediscover his best form this season under Arne Slot, managing five goals and six assists from 22 Premier League outings. The Egyptian forward, who has scored 255 goals for Liverpool since joining in 2017, recently made clear his intention to leave the club at the end of the season, according to Daily Express - Sport. His departure would leave a significant void in Liverpool's attack, a challenge that former manager Jurgen Klopp acknowledged in a press conference. Klopp said that while the void will be filled, the specific player like Salah is irreplaceable.
Jurgen Klopp, now RB Leipzig's global head of soccer, is reportedly encouraging Liverpool to pursue Leipzig's Yan Diomande as a replacement for Salah, according to Daily Express - Sport. Liverpool have already held meetings with Leipzig over Diomande's future, as reported by Sport Bild via Daily Express - Sport. The club are among those at the front of the queue for the forward, according to Daily Mirror - Main. Klopp's inside knowledge of Diomande's abilities could prove influential in Liverpool's pursuit.
This specific kind of player is irreplaceable. That's always how it is. There will be a void that somebody will fill. It's always in our minds how much time, how much space – yeah, how much time do we give to whoever is going to play there in whatever system the manager will play? But the specific player, Mo Salah? I'm not sure there is even another one existing out there. There are other people playing on that wing with different strengths, different qualities, but it is the numbers he produces – they are unmatched from that position.
Yan Diomande has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in the Bundesliga this season, according to multiple reports. He is tied down at Leipzig until 2030, with the club seeking a fee in the region of €100 million (£87m), as reported by Daily Mirror - Main. Daily Express - Sport also puts his price tag at £87 million. Leipzig paid £17.5 million for Diomande in 2024, according to multiple reports, meaning they stand to make a substantial profit if they sell.
Competition for Diomande is expected to be fierce. Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur are also reportedly keen on the forward, according to Daily Express - Sport. Chelsea and Manchester United are also leading contenders, according to Daily Mirror - Main. Leipzig are in no hurry to part with Diomande and could demand well above market value, according to Daily Express - Sport. The German club are keen to offer Diomande fresh terms, but discussions have been put on hold until summer, according to Daily Express - Sport.
It was a difficult time. I felt like for many people, it was all about money. A lot of people told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea. Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself. I knew the president of Leganes. He had helped with my move to the USA. Suddenly, I was faced with a choice: Leganes or Chelsea? It was a gamble, but fortunately, it turned out to be the right choice. I believe patience is crucial in football. It's not always just about the money. If you perform well, the rest will follow naturally. I'm young. I need game time to enhance my sporting value, to progress. And that wouldn't happen from the bench.
Liverpool have alternative targets in mind. West Ham's Jarrod Bowen and Bayern Munich's Michael Olise are also touted as potential replacements for Salah, according to Daily Express - Sport. Bayern Munich director Max Eberl has addressed speculation about Olise's future, saying in a press conference that the club has confidence in their discussions and is letting external noise bounce off.
Diomande's history includes a previous decision to decline an offer to join Chelsea. According to Daily Mirror - Football, Diomande described the situation as a difficult time where many people focused on money, but he made a decision for himself and chose Leganes instead. That gamble paid off, and Leipzig later purchased him for £17.5 million in 2024.
People made it [Liverpool] out to be my dream club. But primarily, it's my dad's favourite team. His ultimate wish has always been to see me play there one day because he adores the atmosphere at Anfield. He would constantly sing praises of Steven Gerrard. I was too young to watch him play. We didn't even have a telly at home for a long whilst. I hold a great deal of respect for Liverpool, but my dream club at present is Leipzig.
Barcelona's interest in Diomande appears to be waning. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Barcelona are edging closer to signing Alessandro Bastoni, a target for Liverpool. As a result, Barcelona are now willing to abandon their pursuit of Diomande, according to SPORT via Daily Mirror - Main. This could reduce competition for Liverpool.
Uncertainties remain over Diomande's stance on a move. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Diomande previously expressed a desire to play for Liverpool, citing his father's dream. However, according to Daily Mirror - Football, he later clarified that while he respects Liverpool, his dream club is now Leipzig. This contradiction suggests his stance may have changed over time. It remains unclear whether Liverpool have made a formal bid for Diomande, and the exact release clause or asking price is not confirmed.
I haven't had a conversation with anyone from Bayern. The timing isn't right for that. I'm content here in Leipzig and want to stay fully focused. There are always numerous parties involved in a transfer – clubs, agents, family, players. So, I don't make these decisions on my own.
We have our bubble, we have confidence in our discussions, and we're letting everything that's happening around us bounce off us to some extent. First of all, it's great that so many people want to talk about Michael Olise. That says, first of all, that we lured a
I want to play for Liverpool. I'm a huge Liverpool fan. My dad dreams of seeing me play at Anfield!