Liverpool are set for a dramatic summer overhaul in attack, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the club is actively planning major changes on the wings — and TEAMtalk sources can reveal their No.1 target is now the £87million teenage sensation Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
The Reds’ title defence has collapsed in spectacular fashion. Sitting sixth in the Premier League, 19 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, Jürgen Klopp’s successor Arne Slot is facing the harsh reality that retaining the crown is impossible. Yet the season is far from over: a Champions League and FA Cup double remains realistic, while securing a top-five finish (widely expected to be enough for next season’s UCL) is non-negotiable.
But the attack that powered Liverpool to glory last term has misfired badly. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo — two of Slot’s most trusted regulars — have been shadows of their former selves, and the club hierarchy has decided enough is enough.
Romano drops the bombshell
Speaking on his YouTube channel this week, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano delivered the clearest indication yet that Liverpool are ready to wave goodbye to two established stars to fund a new era:
“I think it will be a busy summer for Liverpool with wingers. It’s very clear they need to reinforce their wingers. The situation with Salah and Gakpo… In general, I think Liverpool need to add something fresh in that position. I will come back very soon to tell you more.”
Romano’s words carry huge weight. They confirm what TEAMtalk has been reporting for weeks: Liverpool are preparing to sacrifice two Slot regulars in a calculated bid to inject youth, pace and long-term quality into the final third.
The Salah situation – Saudi temptation grows
Mohamed Salah’s future has dominated headlines all season. The Egyptian King has been badly off-form by his own sky-high standards, and the Saudi Pro League is circling with serious intent. TEAMtalk revealed last week that clubs in the Middle East are intensifying their pursuit, with plans already advanced — though Liverpool have drawn a line in the sand on any fee. At 33, Salah remains world-class on his day, but the club must now weigh sentiment against the need for a squad refresh.
Gakpo under fire
Cody Gakpo’s situation is even more delicate. Despite starting almost every game under his fellow Dutchman Slot, the 25-year-old has managed just 12 goal involvements (8 goals, 4 assists) in 38 appearances. Criticism has been relentless, yet Slot has refused to drop him. With Liverpool needing “something fresh”, sources close to the club admit Gakpo is now very much in the shop window.
The targets that got away
Liverpool’s recruitment team have been thorough. They love Michael Olise — Romano himself confirmed the admiration — but Bayern Munich have zero intention of selling the Frenchman, who has no release clause and is settled in Bavaria. Olise himself has already hinted at staying put for at least another season.
Fresh enquiries were also made for PSG’s exciting duo Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola. Both were instantly rebuffed. The French giants made it crystal clear: neither player is available this summer, no matter the offer.
That left Liverpool’s shortlist drastically shortened — and one name rose rapidly to the very top.
Meet Yan Diomande – the £87m teenage sensation
TEAMtalk can exclusively confirm that 19-year-old Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande is now Liverpool’s primary target for the wing. Scouts have been raving about the RB Leipzig star since early December, believing he is the perfect stylistic fit for Slot’s high-pressing, fluid attacking system.
Inside the Red Bull network there is genuine excitement. Multiple sources have compared Diomande’s potential to a certain Erling Haaland when the Norwegian was plucked from Molde to Salzburg. At just 19, the teenager already possesses blistering pace, elite dribbling, clinical finishing and the physicality to thrive in the Premier League.
Leipzig are braced for a summer bidding war and have set their valuation at €100million (£87m / $116m). They have no desire to sell below that figure, especially with interest from across Europe mounting. But Liverpool believe they can structure a deal — potentially involving player sales — that satisfies the Bundesliga club while delivering one of world football’s brightest prospects.
What this means for Liverpool next season
This is not just about replacing Salah and Gakpo — it is about future-proofing the attack. Diomande’s arrival would signal the start of a post-Salah era at Anfield, bringing youth and hunger to a squad that has looked jaded at times this season.
The financial implications are significant. Funding an £87m move will almost certainly require at least one (and likely both) of Salah and Gakpo to depart. Saudi interest in Salah could generate the funds, while Gakpo still commands a healthy fee despite his dip in form.
There are risks, of course. Diomande is unproven at the very highest level and adapting to the Premier League’s intensity is never guaranteed. Leipzig’s valuation is firm, and any deal could drag into the final weeks of the window. But the club’s hierarchy, led by FSG, view this as a transformative signing that could define the next five years.
Romano has promised more updates “very soon”. When he speaks again, expect concrete names, concrete fees and concrete timelines — because Liverpool’s summer rebuild is no longer a possibility. It is already in motion.
The message from Anfield is clear: two Slot regulars are on the way out, and a £87million teenage sensation is the man they want to bring in. The next chapter of the Arne Slot era is about to begin.