A journalist has revealed the mountain Liverpool will have to climb this summer in order to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
The Reds got a deal over the line last week for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz as they came from nowhere to beat Newcastle United to the young Spaniardâs signature.
And now Liverpool are looking to secure a deal for another winger with Mohamed Salah set to leave and Cody Gakpo out of form last season.
Diomande has emerged as a clear top target this summer with Liverpool making an offer worth âŹ100m for the Ivory Coast international last week.
RB Leipzig turned down that package and now Sky Germany reporter Philipp Hinze has hinted that Liverpool will have to pay a lot more to get a deal for Diomande over the line this summer.
Hinze wrote on X: âLeipzig have rejected Liverpoolâs âŹ100m package without setting a clear asking price.
READ: Ten transfer records which should be shattered by Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs this summer
âInternally, Leipzig remain firm in their desire to keep the player for at least one more season. Only an offer significantly above âŹ100m could persuade Leipzig to change their stance.â
Hinze added: The internal thinking is: no release clause, a rising market value, 19 y/o and a long-term contract in place. The player is not untouchable, but that is precisely why they are setting the price so high.
âAs things stand, there has been no new offer from Liverpool yet. There has also been no offer from PSG. Itâs a very dynamic situation.
âAt the same time, discussions are ongoing with the playerâs representatives regarding a salary increase and an adjusted contract.â
Carragher: Is Diomande worth the money?
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher likes what heâs seen from Diomande at the World Cup but has warned the Reds after spending big last summer.
READ: Fabrizio Romano reveals whether Liverpool will sell Cody Gakpo to Tottenham
Carragher told Sky Sports: âI thought he [Diomande] was fantastic in the first game of the World Cup. Less so in the second game, but still was a real danger.
âI think what youâd be buying is potential, itâs not what he is right now. Heâs a 19-year-old kid, heâs a young man. But when you look at him physically, he looks like heâs got all those attributes.
âYou think of the success Liverpool have had in the past with powerful, quick, wide men. You think of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, especially those two.
âHe certainly looks like heâs got those type of traits. Thatâs a big thing that Liverpool lacked last season, pace in those wide areas.
âTheyâve already got a signing in now from Spain, from Osasuna, Victor Munoz. Maybe they want a little bit of pace on the other side as well. I think itâs pretty obvious where Liverpool were lacking last season.
âThat looks like where theyâre going in the market. But is he worth it? Time will tell.
âAs I said, Liverpool spent big last summer. Right now, a year on, we probably would say those players donât look worth it.â
The Reds got a deal over the line last week for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz as they came from nowhere to beat Newcastle United to the young Spaniardâs signature.
And now Liverpool are looking to secure a deal for another winger with Mohamed Salah set to leave and Cody Gakpo out of form last season.
Diomande has emerged as a clear top target this summer with Liverpool making an offer worth âŹ100m for the Ivory Coast international last week.
RB Leipzig turned down that package and now Sky Germany reporter Philipp Hinze has hinted that Liverpool will have to pay a lot more to get a deal for Diomande over the line this summer.
Hinze wrote on X: âLeipzig have rejected Liverpoolâs âŹ100m package without setting a clear asking price.
READ: Ten transfer records which should be shattered by Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs this summer
âInternally, Leipzig remain firm in their desire to keep the player for at least one more season. Only an offer significantly above âŹ100m could persuade Leipzig to change their stance.â
Hinze added: The internal thinking is: no release clause, a rising market value, 19 y/o and a long-term contract in place. The player is not untouchable, but that is precisely why they are setting the price so high.
âAs things stand, there has been no new offer from Liverpool yet. There has also been no offer from PSG. Itâs a very dynamic situation.
âAt the same time, discussions are ongoing with the playerâs representatives regarding a salary increase and an adjusted contract.â
Carragher: Is Diomande worth the money?
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher likes what heâs seen from Diomande at the World Cup but has warned the Reds after spending big last summer.
READ: Fabrizio Romano reveals whether Liverpool will sell Cody Gakpo to Tottenham
Carragher told Sky Sports: âI thought he [Diomande] was fantastic in the first game of the World Cup. Less so in the second game, but still was a real danger.
âI think what youâd be buying is potential, itâs not what he is right now. Heâs a 19-year-old kid, heâs a young man. But when you look at him physically, he looks like heâs got all those attributes.
âYou think of the success Liverpool have had in the past with powerful, quick, wide men. You think of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, especially those two.
âHe certainly looks like heâs got those type of traits. Thatâs a big thing that Liverpool lacked last season, pace in those wide areas.
âTheyâve already got a signing in now from Spain, from Osasuna, Victor Munoz. Maybe they want a little bit of pace on the other side as well. I think itâs pretty obvious where Liverpool were lacking last season.
âThat looks like where theyâre going in the market. But is he worth it? Time will tell.
âAs I said, Liverpool spent big last summer. Right now, a year on, we probably would say those players donât look worth it.â
