Liverpool are set to miss out on top transfer target Yan Diomande, with the 19-year-old Ivorian winger choosing PSG over the Reds, according to The Athletic. The decision echoes the failed pursuit of Jude Bellingham three years ago, as PSG's current dominance proves difficult to compete against.
Diomande to PSG, Barcola as Plan B
Sky Sports reports that Liverpool were reluctant to meet RB Leipzig's €130m asking price for Diomande, giving PSG a clear run. GiveMeSport claims Liverpool have ended their interest, but TEAMtalk insists the Reds' focus remains on Diomande while highlighting PSG's Bradley Barcola as the next alternative. Fabrizio Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel that "we are going in the direction" of Barcola to Liverpool, contingent on PSG greenlighting his exit.
L'Equipe (via Get French Football News) states that PSG's agreement with Diomande includes a lower salary than Liverpool offered, with a transfer fee also reduced due to close ties between PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Leipzig's management. RB Leipzig's sporting director Marcel Schafer told Bild (via The Athletic): "Our clear intention is: Yan Diomande will play for RB Leipzig next year and we're not backing down from that."
Other Right-Wing Alternatives
The Athletic lists Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo, and FC Koln's Said El Mala as credible alternatives. Regarding El Mala, Express reports that Koln would have liked to sell him for €50m (the accepted Brentford bid he turned down), but Fussballdaten claims Koln are convinced keeping him for another season yields higher returns. The latter report states Liverpool "plan to officially approach El Mala depending on the progress of their primary transfer targets."
Bidding War for Ayyoub Bouaddi
Diario AS reports a "war between Europe's biggest clubs" for 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with Liverpool, PSG, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich in the mix. RMC Sport adds Manchester United but rules out PSG, while TEAMtalk claims PSG "believe they are well-placed." Matteo Moretto of Marca says City are furthest along with direct contacts. Bouaddi is rated at €80m.
Curtis Jones to Nottingham Forest?
Daily Mail's Tom Collomosse reports Nottingham Forest are considering Curtis Jones after selling Elliot Anderson to Man City for £116m. Liverpool rejected a £21m bid from Inter and want at least £35m. Collomosse notes Jones may be reluctant to join a "lower-ranked club" compared to Inter.
Bruno Guimaraes Inquiry
Ben Jacobs told The Redmen TV that Liverpool made an "initial inquiry on the player's side" for Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes, 28. Jacobs said: "Liverpool just did what Manchester United did months back, they spoke with the agent and that was it." He added that Liverpool likely want a younger profile.
Other Reports
Football Insider claims Liverpool have told Federico Chiesa to find a new club, considering offers between £10-15m. Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper are set to join Andoni Iraola's staff at Liverpool after agreeing termination deals from Bournemouth. Agent David Lavelle told Oggi Sport Notizie that Alisson had agreed personal terms with Juventus before Liverpool rejected a €7m offer. Jarell Quansah told BBC Football Daily he could be "anywhere in the next two years" amid speculation over a return. Crystal Palace are monitoring Harvey Elliott, per Sky Sports.
Nonsense of the Day
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler suggested Christian Pulisic as a target on social media, a take widely dismissed by fans.
