Liverpool are still working on a big-money deal to sign Yan Diomande, even after they complete the signing of Victor Munoz, GIVEMESPORT understands.

Andoni Iraola is the new man in charge at Anfield and will look to strengthen the squad he inherited from the sacked Arne Slot following Liverpool’s poor defence of their Premier League title in 2025/26.

After winning the league in Slot’s first season in charge, the Reds could only finish fifth in the last campaign, just about qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season – the bare minimum for a club of Liverpool’s stature.

First Iraola signing agreed

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Slot was quickly sacked upon the conclusion of the campaign and replaced by Iraola, who had guided Bournemouth to just one place below the Reds in the table.

It looks like Liveprool’s first signing under the Spaniard will be Munoz, with a deal agreed for the Osasuna winger. Newcastle had looked set to sign the 22-year-old, but it appears that Liverpool have moved quickly to hijack the deal.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday night: “Liverpool are set to sign Víctor Muñoz with hijack done. Newcastle in advanced talks for days but #LFC enter the deal, verbally agree terms with Muñoz and activate €40million release clause.

“All set to be signed and another big surprise.”

Munoz’s signing will not impact Liverpool’s chase to sign Diomande, however, GMS understands.

Liverpool optimistic a £100m deal can be done

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Diomande has been the Reds’ number one priority in the summer transfer window for some time, and despite spending £34.6million on Munoz, Liverpool still plan to work on a deal to bring the 19-year-old frontman to the club from RB Leipzig.

According to GMS sources, the Reds are optimistic that a deal can be done to sign Diomande, despite competition from Paris Saint-Germain. It is also not discounted by suitors that a deal for his signature is closed during the World Cup.

Diomande is in action in the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup and starred in his debut match at the tournament, picking up the man of the match award in the Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador.

He has previously stated that he is a fan of Liverpool and wanted to play at Anfield, later backtracking on those comments by saying it was his dad’s wish for him to play there as his father was a big Liverpool supporter.

Coming into Sunday night’s clash at the White House, Ilia Topuria, for many, was unstoppable. He had defeated Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, all in devastating fashion, and had a professional MMA record of 17 wins and zero defeats.

However, it didn’t go his way against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, as the fight was stopped between the fourth and fifth round. It’s Topuria’s first professional defeat, and on the grandest stage of them all. The question is, how will he recover from a war like that?

The five-round bout for the coveted UFC lightweight championship went in a way few could have imagined. From the off, Gaethje was inflicting the heavier damage, even shutting Topuria’s right eye after the first round.

In the second, the Spaniard looked back to his best, reminding everyone of his quality. The flurry of body shots seemingly flipped the fight on its head, but it wasn’t enough to finish off the challenger. In the end, Topuria didn’t have the stamina to continue at this blistering pace, a factor that led to the American hero taking control.

Much has been made of the stoppage, especially with the opposing words from the cornermen and Topuria himself. The fight almost came to its climax the round prior, however, if not for Marc Goddard, who prevented the doctor’s stoppage.

After a war like this, there are always questions about whether the fighter will ever be the same again, and worries about how bad the damage actually was. Now, Pablo Motos, a close friend of Ilia Topuria, has provided an update on his current state.

Ilia Topuria Update Given By Close Friend

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

With the fight ending the way it did, Topuria is set for another long stint on the sidelines, this time, however, to recover. The idea of a rematch has been floated about, though, Gaethje would more than likely defend his belt before that.

What Next For Ilia Topuria

Amber Searls via Imagn Images

For Topuria, the long-awaited clash with Paddy Pimblett could perhaps finally come to fruition. The Englishman faces Benoit Saint-Denis during international fight week, but a win could fire him right back into contention. Pimblett, unsurprisingly, was outspoken after watching UFC Freedom 250, especially with the manner in which it ended.

“The only thing you had to do was beat a 38-year-old coming off of a five-round war with me. Instead, you quit on your stool like the little b**** you are,” he said.

The state of the lightweight division is likely to be completely different by the time Topuria eventually returns, but when he does, there will be plenty of big names looking to test themselves against the once inevitable champion.

Ngal’ayel Mukau’s comments about Cristiano Ronaldo have gone viral after DR Congo and Portugal played out a 1-1 draw at the World Cup on Wednesday afternoon.

Ronaldo, now 41 years old, was named in Seleção das Quinas’ starting XI for their match against the African nation at Houston Stadium in Texas.

Portugal went into the match as huge favourites and it didn’t take them long to take the lead as Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves headed home in the sixth minute.

Despite having the lion’s share of possession for the remainder of the first half, Portugal were unable to add to their lead and DR Congo made them pay when Yoane Wissa restored parity on the stroke of half-time.

Neither side could find a winner in the second half as the the spoils were shared.

DR Congo Star Gives Honest Take on Cristiano Ronaldo After Match

Cristiano Ronaldo via REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Ronaldo would have been hoping to get off to a flying start at the 2026 World Cup. However, despite playing the full 90 minutes, he was unable to make an impact.

In fact, he received a Sofascore rating of just 6.1/10 after a highly frustrating night that saw him take three shots but record none on target.

Lille midfielder Mukau was asked about Ronaldo in his post-match interview. A reporter quizzed him on whether DR Congo had worked on a ‘special plan’ to contain the 41-year-old. Mukau replied:

“Still, one of the greatest to ever play the game, much respect to him!”

Thierry Henry Questions Cristiano Ronaldo After Portugal 1-1 DR Congo

Cristiano Ronaldo via REUTERS/Phil Noble

Thierry Henry sent a message to Ronaldo following his performance against DR Congo. The Frenchman, who was covering the game as a pundit for Fox, said following the draw:

“One thing that’s important, people, please at home, the team needs to score. Not you needs to score…

“Because he [Ronaldo] wants to score, he goes in the path of the back pass, you see both players, and it’s easier for you to defend. And that’s my thing: the team needs to score. Not you.”

Ronaldo addressed his performance and the result on social media after the match. He wrote: “It wasn’t the start we wanted, but this is far from over. Head up and focus on the next game.”

Portugal and Ronaldo are next in action on Tuesday, June 23, when they take on Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium.