Liverpool to make big bid for World Cup star as Mohamed Salah replacement

Liverpool are prepared to pay £86m for Yan Diomande as they seek to make the RB Leipzig winger their successor to Mohamed Salah. New head coach Andoni Iraola is trying to complete a £120m double deal for wingers after arranging to sign Victor Munoz from Osasuna for £34m. Now Liverpool have turned their attention to Ivory Coast ’s Diomande as they ready a package worth around €100m. Yan Diomande is one of Europe’s brightest young talents (AP) However, they face competition from the double Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain while Leipzig are thought to want at least €130m for the 19-year-old. Diomande, who excelled on his World Cup debut as Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0, joined Leipzig last year for €20m from Leganes. He scored 12 goals and got eight assists last season in the Bundesliga to help Leipzig qualify for the Champions League. While Munoz is seen as a versatile attacker who can operate across the forward line, Diomande could be more of a replacement for Salah on the right. Diomande is shining for Ivory Coast at the World Cup (Reuters) At £86m, he would be the third most expensive signing in their history after last summer’s arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Liverpool have prioritised forwards in this summer’s transfer market, with Salah leaving, Federico Chiesa likely to go and Hugo Ekitike missing the start of next season. They have bought from Leipzig in the past, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita all arriving from the German club.