Liverpool step up pursuit of Bundesliga winger

Liverpool will hope to improve next season after a disastrous campaign this term. 

The Reds cruised to the Premier League title just 12 months ago in Arne Slot’s first season in charge at Anfield, but failed to defend their crown and ultimately finished fifth in the top flight table this time around.

While the Merseyside outfit secured a Champions League qualification spot due to England being awarded an additional place, Slot was sacked last week just a year after winning the title.

Liverpool are yet to appoint his successor, but in the meantime it has emerged that the Reds are stepping up their interest in a Bundesliga star.

As per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Liverpool are pushing ahead in their pursuit of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.

The report claims hat the Merseyside outfit have made contact with their Bundesliga counterparts as they look to agree a move for the Ivory Coast international, who is set to feature for his country at the World Cup in North America this summer.

Diomande is a target for Liverpool (Photo: Alamy)

Diomande, 19, joined Leipzig from Spanish side Leganes last summer and played 36 times during his debut season in Germany, scoring 13 goals and registering ten assists.

It is claimed that the Ivorian’s impressive form has put him firmly on Liverpool’s list of targets, however the Bundesliga outfit are understandably reluctant to sell the player this summer.

According to the report, Leipzig would demand a fee in excess of £112 million to allow Diomande to depart the club this summer, which would make him Liverpool’s third most expensive signing of all time.

Last summer the Reds spent heavily, first breaking the British transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz and then shattering that feat to land Alexander Isak.

Liverpool are said to be in the strongest position to reach an agreement with the player himself at present, with several clubs interested in the winger.