Diomande leans toward Liverpool move as Jones-Dumfries swap talks emerge

RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande is leaning towards joining Liverpool this summer, according to reports in Spain, with the 19-year-old Ivorian preferring the Reds over rival suitors Paris Saint-Germain. Liverpool have reportedly promised Diomande a prominent role in their squad next season, though that assurance comes at a time when the club is still searching for a new manager following Arne Slot’s dismissal.

Slot departed after two years in charge — only the sixth managerial sacking at Anfield this century — with Bournemouth’s outgoing head coach Andoni Iraola emerging as the leading candidate to succeed him. Talks with the 43-year-old Spaniard are set to begin this week; if appointed, he would become only the second Spanish manager in Liverpool’s history, following Rafael Benitez.

Diomande made an immediate impression in his debut Bundesliga season, scoring 13 goals and contributing 10 assists across 36 appearances in all competitions. He is widely regarded as a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, and is reported to have a release clause of approximately £86 million.

Separately, Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Liverpool have proposed including right-back Denzel Dumfries in negotiations with Inter Milan over Curtis Jones, in an effort to bridge a valuation gap between the two clubs. Inter are said to be unable to meet Liverpool’s asking price of £25.9 million (€30m) for the 25-year-old Jones, who enters the final year of his contract this summer — a shortfall of around £8.6 million (€10m). Liverpool’s suggestion of adding Dumfries, who reportedly holds a £22 million release clause, would help offset that difference.

It remains unclear whether either club intends to progress those discussions, and no agreement is in place. Liverpool’s transfer activity is likely to remain in a holding pattern until a new manager is confirmed, though the club’s hierarchy appear intent on advancing their recruitment plans in parallel with the coaching search.