Liverpool ‘closest’ to signing £52m winger in double deal with Yan Diomande…

Liverpool is reportedly the frontrunner to acquire a winger who has made 31 goal contributions during the 2025/26 season, and he would join Yan Diomande rather than replace him, as per various reports.

This summer, Liverpool is revamping their wide positions, with Mohamed Salah being the standout player in this transformation. However, TEAMtalk has revealed that Liverpool is willing to use Cody Gakpo as a bargaining chip to secure Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.

Even if this trade isn’t necessary, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Gakpo has a chance of departing Anfield this summer.

Additionally, Federico Chiesa has openly expressed that he needs to leave Liverpool for the advancement of his career unless he receives guarantees regarding increased playing time from Andoni Iraola.

Consequently, Liverpool is not only targeting Diomande to enhance their wide options, as two reports from Portugal indicate that Francisco Trincao is also on their radar.

The 26-year-old left-footed player accumulated 31 goal contributions (13 goals, 18 assists) for Sporting CP last season and was named in the Primeira Liga team of the season for the second consecutive year.

Liverpool is reportedly ‘closest’ to signing Francisco Trincao, according to Record in Portugal, as they aim to bring him back to England after his challenging loan spell at Wolves during the 2021-22 season.

Trincao is undoubtedly a much improved player compared to his previous stint, and it is suggested that the Reds are contemplating triggering his €60m / £52m release clause. Liverpool is currently ‘top of the list’ for this transfer.

This information follows a report from Correio da Manha, which stated that Iraola’s appointment ‘has done nothing to diminish interest’ in the Sporting winger.

Naturally, Diomande remains Liverpool’s primary target, and the club is in a stronger position than any other team to finalize personal terms with the Ivorian.

This insight comes from the highly regarded David Ornstein, who emphasized that it is Liverpool, not PSG, that is favored to secure the deal.

The i paper has recently reported that Leipzig has increased their valuation of Diomande to approximately €140m / £120m.

If this transfer were to occur, it would position Diomande as Liverpool’s second most costly acquisition ever, surpassing Florian Wirtz (£116m) and only trailing Alexander Isak (£125m).

Therefore, it is understandable why Liverpool is considering the possibility of incorporating Gakpo as part of the negotiations with Leipzig.