Liverpool instantly decide new winger target after Yan Diomande saga takes new twist

Liverpool’s pursuit of RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has reportedly taken yet another twist, as the Reds have identified an alternative summer target.

Despite club football currently being on hold as the 2026 World Cup plays out, Liverpool have already been active in the transfer market.

Following Andoni Iraola’s arrival earlier this month (June), the club announced the signing of Spain winger Victor Munoz from Osasuna, with the 22-year-old penning a six-year deal after the Premier League side triggered his €40 million (£34.6 million) release clause.

Rayo Vallecano right-back Andrei Ratiu is also of interest, while Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is highly thought of at Anfield.

However, Liverpool’s priority remains RB Leipzig’s Diomande, who is currently at the World Cup with Ivory Coast.

Liverpool have already seen a bid worth around £86 million rejected by the Bundesliga side, with the German club keen for the teenager to stay for at least another season.

It was reported on Thursday (June 25) that Liverpool had increased their offer to £100 million.

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However, Sky Germany’s Philipp Hinze claims this is not the case and that no official second bid has been tabled.

Posting on X, he wrote: "Just to clarify: reports currently circulating on X that Leipzig have rejected a new €116m offer from LFC are not true. Various accounts picked it up blindly without checking the source. This was never officially reported by any credible journalistic source. As things stand, there has not yet been a second offer. More to come."

Liverpool identify Diomande alternative

While Diomande’s future remains uncertain, Liverpool have now reportedly stepped up their interest in Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup.

The 22-year-old left winger, who is currently at the World Cup with Norway, is also thought to be of interest to Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with both clubs keen to open talks. Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Como are also said to be monitoring the player’s situation.

Schjelderup arrived at Benfica from Nordsjælland in 2023 and has since registered 15 goals and 15 assists in 86 appearances for the Lisbon club, helping them win the Primeira Liga in 2023 and the Taça da Liga in 2025.

According to Portuguese outlet Record, Benfica would consider offers of around £34.5 million for the Scandinavian.

At 16, the Norway international rejected the chance to sign for Liverpool, instead opting for a move to Nordsjælland in the summer of 2020.

Schjelderup also undertook trials with Bayern Munich and Juventus.

Speaking about the decision, he said: "Of course, it was a bit hard (turning down Liverpool), because when you grow up, you watch the big names and then you hear that they want you, so your head starts to spin. But I got a lot of help from my father and my agents, who helped me make the right decision.

"It hurt a little bit for me and my dad in our hearts (not joining Liverpool), but the move here meant joining a first-team environment instead of going into an academy at under-19 or under-17 level. It felt like this move was the right one for me. I started in the under-19s, but I knew that when I was ready, I could take the step up to the first team.

"But at the club, they said they didn't expect me to get there this quickly! I planned to do it sooner than they thought, and my plan worked. Of course, maybe I can go to a big team in the future. In the long run, for me, this was the best step. When I am ready, I will take the next step."