Liverpool are preparing to make signing a new right winger one of their top priorities this summer, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande emerging as their primary target.
The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international has risen to the top of Liverpool’s shortlist as the club looks to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah’s departure.
Diomande reportedly carries a release clause worth around £86 million, making any potential deal one of the more expensive moves Liverpool could pursue this window.
Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon and Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola have also been identified as candidates the club is actively considering for the position.
Arne Slot has publicly acknowledged that Liverpool need more quality out wide following a disappointing 2025-26 campaign that fell short of previous title-winning standards.
The club’s wide players failed to produce the same output levels seen during their most successful recent seasons, underlining the need for significant reinforcement in that area of the pitch.
Reports from Germany indicate RB Leipzig value Diomande at approximately €100 million, and the club faces no pressure to sell after securing Champions League qualification for next season.
Diomande is regarded as one of the most exciting young attacking prospects in European football, offering pace, directness and an explosive style of play that has attracted broad attention.
Gordon represents a different profile, with Premier League experience, aggression and a strong work rate already proven at the top level, though Newcastle would demand a substantial transfer fee.
Barcola offers technical quality and the kind of elegance Liverpool have historically valued in wide attackers, but extracting him from PSG would present its own considerable challenges.
Liverpool’s search reflects the scale of the task ahead. Salah’s departure removes not just goals but also the fear factor and consistency he provided across multiple seasons at Anfield.
The club is not simply seeking a talented winger to fill a squad role. Liverpool want a player capable of eventually carrying one of the most demanding attacking positions in the Premier League.
At 19, Diomande brings enormous potential but also significant uncertainty at a price that leaves limited margin for error given the expectations attached to any Salah replacement.
Liverpool’s recruitment team appears to be weighing risk against reward carefully, with three genuinely different options on the table offering contrasting profiles, experience levels and price points.
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