Liverpool are reportedly drawing up a succession plan for Mohamed Salah, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande emerging as a top €100 million target as interest from Saudi Arabia intensifies.
The Egyptian forward, who recently extended his stay at Anfield until 2027, is once again at the center of a massive recruitment drive from the Saudi Pro League. According to TEAMtalk, Saudi officials have reignited contact to gauge Salah’s availability for the upcoming summer window.
The Saudi Pursuit: Salah and Vinicius Jr.
The Middle Eastern league is looking to secure the “next generation” of global icons. With current stars aging, Salah and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Júnior have been identified as the two primary targets to lead the league’s next chapter.
Reports from The Telegraph suggest that while an immediate January exit is off the table, the summer of 2026 is viewed as the “perfect window” for a deal. This comes following Salah’s controversial December interview, where he hinted at a fractured relationship with manager Arne Slot, claiming he felt “thrown under the bus” by certain club decisions.
Enter Yan Diomande: The €100m Successor
Knowing that Salah (now 33) cannot lead the line forever, Liverpool scouts have reportedly identified Yan Diomande as the ideal replacement. The RB Leipzig sensation has been in scintillating form, and his profile fits the high-intensity system implemented by Slot.
Liverpool are said to be weighing up a €100 million (£84m) opening bid. However, Leipzig are holding out for a fee closer to €120 million. The advantage for the Reds? Diomande has already publicly voiced his admiration for the club, stating his desire to one day play under the famous Anfield lights.
Preparing for Life After a Legend
While Liverpool’s priority remains keeping Salah for as long as possible, the board is aware of the financial logic in selling a veteran for a premium fee before his contract enters its final year. If a world-record offer arrives from Al-Ittihad or Al-Hilal, the funds would directly finance the arrival of Diomande, ensuring the club’s frontline remains elite for the next decade.
James Horan is a football writer focused on the Premier League transfer market, covering confirmed signings, transfer rumors, and club strategies during the transfer windows.
