Liverpool may need to splash the cash to secure transfer target Yan Diomande, as the RB Leipzig star does not possess a release clause. The forward has been earmarked as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah, who departs at the end of the current campaign.
Arne Slot and the club’s transfer hierarchy are now hunting for a replacement, with Diomande firmly in their sights. However, it is understood this pursuit will prove expensive, as he remains contracted at the club until 2030 and has no release clause.
This leaves the Bundesliga outfit free to demand whatever transfer fee they see fit. Yet in a separate negotiation, Leipzig may be open to selling young central defender Castello Lukeba, who has also caught the Reds’ attention.
Liverpool brought in Jeremy Jacquet in January for £60m and sent him back to Rennes on loan, but the Frenchman subsequently suffered a shoulder injury requiring surgery. Should his lengthy lay-off stretch into the beginning of next season, Slot would likely seek cover in the form of Lukeba.
While Leipzig are reportedly prepared to sell Lukeba, they are considerably more reluctant to part ways with Diomande. He boasts 10 goals and seven assists in 26 Bundesliga appearances this season.
It is further claimed that Leipzig intends to tie Diomande down to a new contract that will significantly boost his wages. He was originally signed on a rookie contract, but his outstanding performances are set to earn him a considerable pay rise.
Sky Sports Germany has also reported that the club would prefer to offload him in the summer of 2027, much in the same way they held on to Benjamin Sesko for an additional season before selling him to Manchester United.
Salah has seven Premier League matches remaining as a top-flight player, in addition to any forthcoming fixtures in the FA Cup and the Champions League. The club still harbours genuine hopes of lifting both the latter two trophies. Slots side travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City on Saturday.
This is swiftly followed by the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain the following Wednesday, before the Reds then welcome Fulham to Anfield in the Premier League just three days later.