Liverpool are drawing up contingency plans in case their move for RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande fails to materialise this summer transfer window.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that Liverpool submitted an €80m plus €20m bid for the forward, which Leipzig swiftly rejected without serious negotiation.
Diomande remains a priority target for the Reds, but there is growing recognition at Anfield that the club cannot allow the situation to drift deep into August.
Liverpool’s recruitment staff are now actively identifying alternative wide attacking options should Leipzig continue to resist selling their prized forward this summer.
Yankuba Minteh has emerged as one of the leading alternatives, with Liverpool’s recruitment team closely monitoring the forward’s direct and dynamic attacking style.
His pace in wide areas and dribbling volume make him a strong stylistic fit for the system Arne Slot has built at Anfield over recent seasons.
Said El Mala is also being considered as a surprise option, with internal discussions at Liverpool highlighting his long-term potential and attacking upside.
Both Minteh and El Mala are viewed as realistic alternatives if Liverpool’s pursuit of Diomande stalls beyond a point the club considers acceptable.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo is another name mentioned by Jacobs, offering a more balanced attacking profile across multiple metrics rather than specialising in one area.
Bradley Barcola also remains a long-term option of interest to Liverpool, though his higher valuation and competition from other European clubs complicate any potential approach.
Barcola operates at an elite European level and his involvement in high-quality chance creation makes him the most established name among the alternatives being considered.
According to Jacobs, there is optimism that Diomande himself would favour a move to Liverpool, though that counts for little if Leipzig refuse to enter meaningful negotiations.
Liverpool are determined to add dynamism and depth in wide attacking areas this summer and will not wait indefinitely for Leipzig to soften their stance on Diomande.
With the transfer window moving quickly, the Reds appear ready to pivot to their shortlist of alternatives rather than risk entering the new season short of options in wide areas.
