Yan Diomande

Liverpool’s search for a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah has taken a new turn, with suggestions that RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande could be a more realistic option than Michael Olise.

According to The Athletic journalist James Pearce, a move for Olise is highly unlikely, particularly given the difficulty of prising top players away from Bayern Munich.

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Pearce said: “In terms of names being that have been bandied around, I just don’t think Michael Olise is realistic.

“When was the last time someone went to Bayern Munich and arguably plucked one of their best players at his peak out? “It just doesn’t happen, it only happens for crazy money and I don’t see that happening.

“I think Diomande at Leipzig is probably more realistic and fits the profile more in terms of the type that Liverpool would be looking at.

“But I know from speaking to one of our Bundesliga correspondents at The Atheletic, they’re looking at €100million [£87m] minimum – and he’s 19.

“So is that value for someone who has clearly got potential, but is far from the finished article?

“I don’t think it’s clear yet, the search is on now in terms of reinforcements for the summer.

“And you need to throw into the mix, it will be influenced in terms of what money is available by whether Liverpool are playing Champions League football next season.”