Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool against repeating the mistakes of last summer's transfer window as the club pursues a deal for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast international is one of the most sought-after talents at the World Cup, and Liverpool have already had a bid rejected by the Bundesliga side.
Liverpool's £86m Bid and Leipzig's Stance
Liverpool have communicated to Leipzig their willingness to bid up to £86 million for Diomande. However, the German club is holding out for closer to £112 million and is reluctant to sell a player they want to tie down to a new contract. Diomande has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Reds entered the summer targeting two attacking reinforcements following the departure of Mohamed Salah. They have already secured the services of Spain international Victor Munoz from Osasuna in a six-year deal after the 22-year-old completed a medical at his country's World Cup base in Tennessee.
Carragher's Warning on Potential and Price
Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher acknowledged Diomande's talent but urged caution. "I thought he was fantastic in the first game of the World Cup," Carragher said. "Less so in the second game, but still was a real danger. I think what you'd be buying is potential, it's not what he is right now. He's a 19-year-old kid, he's a young man. But when you look at him physically, he looks like he's got all those attributes."
Carragher compared Diomande to Liverpool's former wide men Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, noting the club's past success with powerful, quick attackers. "He certainly looks like he's got those type of traits. That's a big thing that Liverpool lacked last season, pace in those wide areas," he added.
Last Summer's £450m Spending Spree
However, Carragher pointed to Liverpool's heavy spending last summer as a cautionary tale. The Reds shelled out big sums on Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike, a total of around £450 million. "Right now, a year on, we probably would say those players don't look worth it," Carragher said. "Is he [Diomande] worth it? Time will tell."
Liverpool's pursuit of Diomande comes as they look to rebuild their attack after Salah's exit. With Munoz already signed, the club appears to be targeting pace on both flanks. Carragher concluded, "Maybe they want a little bit of pace on the other side as well. I think it's pretty obvious where Liverpool were lacking last season. That looks like where they're going in the market."
