Yan Diomande agreement changes everything for Liverpool

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Liverpool have been forced to alter their transfer plan for this summer following confirmation that top target Yan Diomande wants to join Paris Saint-Germain.

The Ivory Coast international had been earmarked as Liverpool’s dream candidate to replace Mohamed Salah as their new right winger, but he has now agreed to complete a move to PSG, who are locked in negotiations over a transfer fee with RB Leipzig.

Diomande’s current employers have no intention of sanctioning a sale unless a bid worth well in excess of €100 million is received and while this could complicate PSG’s pursuit of the 19-year-old, a move to Liverpool is still believed to be extremely unlikely.

Diomande scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 games last season and it’s understood that a key reason behind his decision to join PSG is because his father supports the French giants.

PSG are yet to finalise an agreement with Leipzig, but the deal is set to intensify once Diomande returns from the World Cup with Ivory Coast and it’s expected that he will join the Parc des Princes outfit before the summer transfer window closes on 1 September.

In the process, his move to PSG has completely changed Liverpool’s transfer plans.

Liverpool to sign Bradley Barcola?

With Diomande now expected to join PSG, it could cause a domino effect that helps Liverpool complete the signing of Bradley Barcola.

The France international was behind Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue in the pecking order at the Parc des Princes last season and with Diomande set to arrive too, he could depart.

Barcola is naturally a left winger, however he does have extensive experience of playing on the right and Liverpool have been tipped to pursue a summer deal after learning that Diomande wants to join PSG.

The 23-year-old has been on Liverpool’s radar for several months and while the Reds were widely expected to sign Diomande, they could be set to pivot their strategy and engage in formal talks with PSG soon.

Barcola notched 20 goal contributions in 49 appearances last season, and with proven experience at the highest level, having won back-to-back Champions League titles, he would be an excellent signing for Liverpool.

Furthermore, he may actually cost slightly less than Diomande, which would allow Liverpool to use a high proportion of their budget on a new central midfielder as they look to bolster the options at Andoni Iraola’s disposal.

However, their failure to sign the Ivorian will still come as a hammer blow, especially as Liverpool had been planning their summer business around securing his signature.