Liverpool approve £87m signing of superstar Mohamed Salah successor as official transfer talks begin as the RB Leipzig star has already decided which club he is interested in…

RB Leipzig’s star player has already made a decision regarding which club he is interested in, following offers of the same amount from Liverpool and Manchester United to secure the young talent.

An unprecedented scenario could determine one of the most significant signings in history, but the player has already chosen his path and is gaining attention.

Liverpool have approved an £87m signing for superstar Mohamed Salah’s successor as official transfer discussions commence.

Liverpool are intensifying their efforts to acquire the highly-rated RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, with sources informing TEAMtalk that negotiations are advancing as the Reds aim to finalize an agreement before the World Cup.

The Merseyside club has conducted more groundwork than any of their competitors on the 19-year-old, having first recognized Diomande during his tenure in Spain with Leganes prior to his transfer to Germany.

Since then, Liverpool scouts have closely monitored his progress throughout what is now his inaugural full season in European football, and their dedication is starting to yield results.

In December, my colleague Fraser Fletcher reported that the Reds were in what sources described as daily communication regarding a deal for the RB Leipzig star.

Diomande has had an outstanding season with Leipzig, netting 13 goals and providing six assists while primarily playing from the right wing. His performances have convinced Liverpool’s recruitment team that he possesses the quality to become a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, who is set to depart Anfield this summer and has only five matches left as a Reds player.

As previously mentioned, Leipzig’s parent organization, Red Bull, considers Diomande to be their most promising prospect since Erling Haaland and is keen to retain him.

The Bundesliga club is willing to offer enhanced terms but has also set a significant valuation on the teenager, with a fee of approximately €100million (£87million) anticipated to be necessary.

Nevertheless, Liverpool remains undeterred by that amount and is willing to invest such a figure in the Ivorian, considering him the Category A signing necessary to succeed club legend Salah.

Diomande has made Liverpool his primary choice as discussions commence.

Liverpool is not the only club that holds admiration for him. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich are all closely observing the situation, recognizing Diomande’s swift ascent and long-term potential.

However, despite Bayern’s interest, they are unlikely to pursue him, believing they are sufficiently covered on the right side due to the outstanding performance of Michael Olise.

Interest from Spain is also beginning to surface. TEAMtalk has learned that both Barcelona and Real Madrid have been closely monitoring Diomande since the beginning of the year, and their involvement could complicate the competition for his signature.

Nonetheless, a transfer to Anfield is particularly attractive to the player, who expressed his desire to join Liverpool earlier this year.

Now, TEAMtalk can disclose that Liverpool has initiated talks with Diomande’s representatives, aiming to establish a preliminary agreement before the World Cup.

Their plan is to have the framework of a deal ready before entering formal negotiations with Leipzig.

At this point, there is increasing confidence within Liverpool that they can secure their primary attacking target, which would mark one of the most significant transfers of the summer if successful.

Replacing Salah has always been a daunting task for FSG and the club’s decision-makers. However, with the 19-year-old Leipzig dynamo, the Reds believe they have identified their ideal candidate.

Liverpool may also pursue a second winger to take Gakpo’s place.

It was previously reported that the Reds had compiled an eight-man list of potential replacements for Salah, once it became clear that the Egyptian would be departing Anfield.

Additionally, Liverpool may still acquire another winger to strengthen the left side of their attack, as they are considering a replacement for the struggling Cody Gakpo.

Regarding Gakpo, it has come to our attention that the Reds have identified an £80m-rated Premier League player as his potential successor, with a prospective next club already in place for the Dutchman, who has not performed at his usual level this season.

In other news, the Reds are also pursuing a second signing from Leipzig this summer, as one of the Bundesliga club’s standout centre-backs has been granted permission to leave and is now being evaluated as a potential addition to Liverpool.