£87m Salah Successor’s Price Tag Could Drop

Liverpool are expected to pursue RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as they seek a long-term successor to Mo Salah, with his £87 million price tag likely to drop.

Diomande scored his 11th goal of the season for Leipzig as they drew 2-2 with Wolfsburg on Sunday – and Liverpool scouts were in attendance.

That is according to talkSPORT‘s well-connected Alex Crook, who reports that the Premier League champions “look ready to join the race” to sign the 19-year-old.

Man United, Chelsea and Tottenham have also been credited with an interest along with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

But Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for the Ivory Coast international and could be buoyed by claims his price tag – touted as €100 million (£87.3m) – could fall if Leipzig fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Leipzig are currently fifth in the Bundesliga with 12 games to play and only the top four progress to Europe’s top-tier tournament for the following campaign.

Bayer Leverkusen could even leapfrog Leipzig as they currently hold a game in hand and are only two points behind Ole Werner’s side, who are not playing European football at all this season having finished seventh in 2024/25.

Why Yan Diomande could be perfect for Liverpool

Diomande is capable of playing on either wing and began life at Leipzig as a regular on the left, but more recently has cemented himself as first-choice right winger.

That included a Man of the Match display against Wolfsburg at the weekend, including one brilliant touch on the turn in the box before a powerful left-footed effort forced a save from ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Kamil Grabara.

With Salah now 33 and entering the final year of his contract this summer amid ongoing links with a move to Saudi Arabia, Diomande could provide an ideal successor.

“On paper, Diomande looks to be a fine fit for Liverpool, and an ideal candidate to replace Salah,” ESPN‘s Ed Dove wrote this week.

“His speed in wide areas, ability to beat a man, creativity, end product and youth match the kind of profile that that club value, while he’d fit effectively into Slot’s plans, with a resale value that should make him an astute addition for the Merseysiders.

“His bravery in possession, taste for expansive attacking play, as well as a refreshingly relaxed and professional attitude, would surely appeal to Reds fans, even if a fading Salah will leave big shoes to fill.”

While Diomande’s age and relative lack of experience – yet to complete his first season in the Bundesliga after joining from Leganes in the summer – may have dissuaded Liverpool in the past, their stance appears to have changed.

A £60 million deal for 20-year-old centre-back Jeremy Jacquet is already agreed, and with a new winger one of their next priorities it would be no surprise to see the Reds spend big on Diomande.