Liverpool are actively searching for Plan B options as their pursuit of RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande appears to have stalled this summer.
Diomande has enjoyed a standout tournament for the Ivory Coast at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but following his nation’s knockout-stage elimination by Norway, attention has firmly shifted back to his club future.
Newly appointed Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola had identified Diomande as a key piece of his squad rebuild ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season, shortly after completing a £34.5 million deal for Spanish international Victor Muñoz from Osasuna.
However, after Leipzig reportedly knocked back Liverpool’s initial €100 million approach, Paris Saint-Germain have aggressively swooped in, with the French heavyweights now appearing to have won the race for his signature.
This development serves as a significant blow to Iraola and the Merseyside club, as the 19-year-old was widely regarded as their primary summer transfer target, but the Anfield hierarchy refused to be drawn into an escalating bidding war for a prospect with relatively limited top-flight experience.
With Diomande seemingly bound for Paris, Iraola is exploring alternative avenues, and reports from the Daily Express indicate he could soon launch a bid for Matias Fernandez-Pardo following a breakout year at Lille.
Fernandez-Pardo—who is capable of operating seamlessly across a three-man attack—has caught the eye in France and was rewarded with a place in Belgium’s World Cup squad after netting eight goals last term.
The 21-year-old remains under contract with the Ligue 1 outfit until 2029, but with an estimated market valuation of €35 million, he represents a much more economical option than Diomande and could align with Iraola’s blueprint of acquiring emerging, high-value talent far better than the Ivorian.
Leave a Reply