Liverpool have reached a major breakthrough in their bid to make a blockbuster summer signing for new manager Andoni Iraola, according to reports in France.

Having appointed a new boss and lost key players from the Anfield dressing room in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate, it has been clear that there will be changes to the playing squad before next season.

Liverpool have already got their summer business underway after signing left-winger Victor Munoz from under the noses of Premier League rivals Newcastle United, with the Spain international set to compete for a spot on the wing against Cody Gakpo, who has been linked with a move away from the club this summer.

The Reds could make a new addition in central midfield with links to the likes of Adam Wharton, Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott of Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Bournemouth respectively, but securing a long-term replacement for Salah appears to be key to their summer plans.

The Merseysiders have identified RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as their number one target to replace the Egypt international, but finding an agreement with the German club has proved difficult as they demand up to €130m (£112m) for his services.

Liverpool have made one breakthrough to try and complete a deal though.

Diomande Agrees Personal Terms to Join Liverpool

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

According to French outlet MediaFoot, Liverpool and Iraola have been handed a big double boost in their bid to land Diomande in this transfer window.

The report claims that not only have the Reds reached an agreement with the Ivory Coast international over personal terms, but that Paris Saint-Germain are set to leave the race to sign the 19-year-old because of Leipzig’s huge asking price.

Of course, Liverpool still need to find an agreement with the Bundesliga outfit on an acceptable price, but with buy-in from the player and a seemingly clear run at securing his services, they are in a strong position.

The Reds have already seen a bid worth €100m rejected by Leipzig, with the offer broken down as €80m plus €20m in add-ons, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

Iraola Closing in on His Next Semenyo

Photo by Leonardo Ramirez/ Eyepix Group via Reuters

Make no mistake, Liverpool look like they will have to pay more than £100m if they want to sign Diomande, and that is clearly a huge fee for someone who has played one season of regular first-team football.

However, the 19-year-old’s talent is there for all to see, as he displayed at the 2026 World Cup when he produced a man-of-the-match display in the Ivory Coast’s opening group match win against Ecuador.

The teenager has explosive pace that sees him beat opposition full-backs easily, while he also has the trickery on the ball to turn defenders inside out.

What is most impressive about the teenager is the fact that he is producing solidly when it comes to goal contributions despite his tender years, while he has also shown brilliant work defensively to help his teammates at club and national level.

One German-based journalist has claimed that Diomande ‘reminds him of Antoine Semenyo’, who Iraola knows only too well from the duo’s time together at Bournemouth.

If Liverpool can land Diomande, Iraola may well have found his next Semenyo to work with.

Tottenham Hotspur are trying to beat Manchester United to the signing of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, and they have received a huge boost in their pursuit, according to the Independent.

Tottenham fans would have been excited when Fabrizio Romano dropped the bombshell earlier this month that they were working on a deal to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and that feeling would have only increased further after David Ornstein confirmed that Roberto De Zerbi also wants to sign Fernandes in a separate deal to the Italy international.

Man United have been viewed as the frontrunners to sign the 21-year-old for weeks now, having entered talks with the player and his agent over personal terms.

One report has claimed that the player has agreed to join after being happy with the financial offer, with the player said to be keen to link up with compatriot and idol Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford as he looks to avoid playing Championship football next term.

However, Spurs are serious about landing the Portugal international, and they are willing to go to big lengths as club chiefs look to deliver a fourth signing of the summer for their Italian boss.

Tottenham Make Bigger Offer Than United for Fernandes

via Reuters

According to the Independent, Tottenham have now made headway in the battle with United to sign Fernandes.

Spurs are said to have held positive talks with West Ham over a potential deal, with De Zerbi being backed with a significant summer transfer budget.

The Hammers are demanding £85m for their ‘superstar’ player, and they want a significant portion of that fee paid upfront, with Tottenham already offering a higher overall package than the Red Devils.

De Zerbi is a huge fan of Fernandes and Spurs have also launched a salary offer higher than United’s as they look to come out on top in this transfer battle.

Crucially, the report adds that the Portugal international is ‘very keen’ on a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which would also allow him to carry on living in London.

United don’t want to get involved in a bidding war and could walk away from a deal and look at alternative targets.

Romano: Tottenham Want to Sign Impressive World Cup Star

Annegret Hilse via Reuters

As well as transforming their central midfield options, Tottenham are also looking to make changes all across the frontline too.

Spurs remain in talks to sign Manchester City left-winger Savinho, but they are clearly looking at alternative targets to the Brazilian with progress slow on agreeing a deal with the Premier League runners-up.

One of those is Liverpool star Cody Gakpo, with Romano confirming that De Zerbi and Tottenham do have an interest in the Netherlands international.

The Dutchman had already been linked with a summer move away from Anfield even before they signed Victor Munoz, with the Spain international usually operating from the left flank.

It remains to be seen if that addition could spell the end for Gakpo at Anfield, but his performances for his country at the World Cup are only showcasing his ability, with two goals and an assist in the latest 5-1 win against Sweden.

Tottenham Hotspur are trying to beat Manchester United to the signing of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, and they have received a huge boost in their pursuit, according to the Independent.

Tottenham fans would have been excited when Fabrizio Romano dropped the bombshell earlier this month that they were working on a deal to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and that feeling would have only increased further after David Ornstein confirmed that Roberto De Zerbi also wants to sign Fernandes in a separate deal to the Italy international.

Man United have been viewed as the frontrunners to sign the 21-year-old for weeks now, having entered talks with the player and his agent over personal terms.

One report has claimed that the player has agreed to join after being happy with the financial offer, with the player said to be keen to link up with compatriot and idol Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford as he looks to avoid playing Championship football next term.

However, Spurs are serious about landing the Portugal international, and they are willing to go to big lengths as club chiefs look to deliver a fourth signing of the summer for their Italian boss.

Tottenham Make Bigger Offer Than United for Fernandes

via Reuters

According to the Independent, Tottenham have now made headway in the battle with United to sign Fernandes.

Spurs are said to have held positive talks with West Ham over a potential deal, with De Zerbi being backed with a significant summer transfer budget.

The Hammers are demanding £85m for their ‘superstar’ player, and they want a significant portion of that fee paid upfront, with Tottenham already offering a higher overall package than the Red Devils.

De Zerbi is a huge fan of Fernandes and Spurs have also launched a salary offer higher than United’s as they look to come out on top in this transfer battle.

Crucially, the report adds that the Portugal international is ‘very keen’ on a switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which would also allow him to carry on living in London.

United don’t want to get involved in a bidding war and could walk away from a deal and look at alternative targets.

Romano: Tottenham Want to Sign Impressive World Cup Star

Annegret Hilse via Reuters

As well as transforming their central midfield options, Tottenham are also looking to make changes all across the frontline too.

Spurs remain in talks to sign Manchester City left-winger Savinho, but they are clearly looking at alternative targets to the Brazilian with progress slow on agreeing a deal with the Premier League runners-up.

One of those is Liverpool star Cody Gakpo, with Romano confirming that De Zerbi and Tottenham do have an interest in the Netherlands international.

The Dutchman had already been linked with a summer move away from Anfield even before they signed Victor Munoz, with the Spain international usually operating from the left flank.

It remains to be seen if that addition could spell the end for Gakpo at Anfield, but his performances for his country at the World Cup are only showcasing his ability, with two goals and an assist in the latest 5-1 win against Sweden.