Chelsea interest in ex-Premier League star could give Liverpool keys to €100m Salah replacement

Suraj Radia

8 Mar 2026 18:51 GMT
4 min read

Liverpool are in ‘close contact’ to bring a former Premier League star back to England to replace Mohamed Salah this summer, although they could face competition from rivals such as Chelsea.

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Salah is thought to be ‘increasingly likely’ to leave Liverpool this summer and the club have already started exploring targets such as Yan Diomande, although the RB Leipzig wonderkid may prove unattainable if Paris Saint-Germain step up their interest.

Instead, the Reds could be given an opportunity to sign Moussa Diaby this summer, with the 26-year-old seemingly desperate to return to Europe after a stint with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

Current ETV

Moussa Diaby

F (CR), M (R)

Al-Ittihad

Moussa Diaby

F (CR), M (R)

Al-Ittihad

ETV Range

€25.3M - €30.9M

Inter had attempted to sign Diaby in January but a move fell through, however German outlet Fussball Daten has claimed that the Frenchman is now ‘on the priority lists’ for a number of clubs across Germany, Spain and England, including Liverpool.

Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle are also named as being in ‘close contact’ with Diaby’s agency but a move to the Bundesliga is said to be ‘most likely’, with Dortmund and Leipzig ‘on high alert’.

Diaby’s desire for a move could see Al-Ittihad entertain a deal for €40 million or facilitate a loan move with an option to buy, with the Saudi Pro League side looking to free up wages and foreign player spots in their squad.

Why Diaby could have a huge part to play in Liverpool’s summer plans

Diaby spent a year with Aston Villa where he got six goals and eight assists from the right wing before moving to Al-Ittihad for €60m in 2024.

© IMAGO - Moussa Diaby could make a return to Europe this summer.

The forward made his name in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and a return to the Bundesliga could still help Liverpool even if Diaby doesn’t end up moving to Anfield.

Leipzig are said to see Diaby as a ‘potential game changer’ and their interest may intensify if Diomande is sold this summer, with the 19-year-old understood to have a release clause in his deal worth €100m.

However, the asking price for Diomande could be closer to €70m, particularly if Leipzig can secure a replacement for a fraction of the cost, essentially making Diaby a huge focal point of Liverpool’s summer regardless if the Premier League giants make a move for him or not.

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