Liverpool turn attention to new target after Yan Diomande snub

Liverpool have identified an alternative to Yan Diomande after the Ivorian forward picked Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain as his next destination if he moves on this summer.

As they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new campaign, Diomande was seen as Liverpool's priority target.

In fact, the Reds appeared to be firmly in the driving seat to sign him but, after their €100 million (£86.7m) offer for Diomande was turned down by RB Leipzig, they were dealt a huge blow on Sunday.

A report from The Athletic confirmed that the teenager has chosen PSG as his next destination if he decides to leave the Bundesliga this summer, as he believes in their project and wants to play under Luis Enrique.

So, who will Liverpool turn to next? Earlier this month, it was reported that Liverpool are monitoring several attacking players, including Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Koln's Said El Mala.

At the time, Diomande was still a priority but now, after the 19-year-old opted for PSG, it appears Liverpool are showing serious interest in El Mala, who has impressed at FC Koln.

This is Said El-Mala reds I hope we go for him he got more Bundesliga goals than Yan Diomande this season pic.twitter.com/eWYuT3GvhF

— Zach (@lfczachv2) June 28, 2026

El Mala registered 13 goals and five assists in 36 appearances for the Bundesliga side last term and, although he is under contract until 2030, the teenager is being tracked by a host of clubs, including Tottenham and Newcastle.

German outlet FussballDaten claimed on Saturday that Liverpool were planning to officially approach the player and his representatives in the event of 'potential difficulties or a stall' in the Diomande transfer.

Of course, that has since materialised. The report adds: "There is strong speculation that the Merseyside club could knock on Cologne's door and provide a substantial budget for the young star, whom they consider an important Plan B."

READ MORE: Liverpool 'closing in' on signing of Andrei Rațiu

FC Koln will fight to keep Said El Mala based on comments from club president

Back in April, while a host of clubs were being linked with a move for El Mala, FC Koln president Jorn Stobbe issued a strong warning to potential suitors.

Speaking on the L'Immo podcast, he said: "We would be pretty crazy to just let such a great player go early."

Stobbe added: "Of course, we will make him an offer with our network – not just financial, but also in other areas. We can offer him an environment where he can develop wonderfully. He’s a very young player, highly talented and has already proved that."

El Mala joined FC Koln from local rivals Viktoria Koln in the summer of 2024, although he was immediately loaned back for the 2024-25 season because of the Bundesliga side's transfer ban.

Brentford are said to have made an offer worth £43 million for El Mala in June, but the 19-year-old turned down a move to the Premier League side, according to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg.