Liverpool have failed to convince Yan Diomande to replace Mohamed Salah as the Ivorian winger is prioritising a move to Paris Saint-Germain, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

Ornstein reports that Diomande has chosen PSG as his next club if he leaves RB Leipzig this summer. The in-demand attacking gem had been at the top of the Reds’ wishlist to replace Salah following the Egyptian’s exit.

Diomande is one of Europe’s most highly-admired wonderkids, and he starred for Leipzig last season. The 19-year-old bagged 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 games across competitions.

Diomande Chooses PSG Over Liverpool

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Diomande prefers a move to PSG because he believes this gives him a better opportunity to lift trophies regularly and win the Ballon d’Or. He has been convinced by the project overseen by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos.

The Ivorian is also keen on playing under Luis Enrique and he is therefore set to reject Liverpool and hope for a move to the Parc des Princes to take place. For Andoni Iraola, it’s a massive setback as the Leipzig star had been the club’s top target.

Liverpool presented Leipzig with a package worth €100million (£86.8m; $115m) for Diomande. The Bundesliga club rejected this and insisted on a €130m fee for their exciting winger.

The German outfit are trying to get Diomande tied down to a new deal with his current contract expiring in 2030. If he does depart Red Bull Arena this summer, it seems likely that he’ll be headed to the French capital.

Liverpool Will Have to Look Elsewhere

via Reuters

Iraola and Liverpool’s transfer chiefs will have to go back to the drawing board and decide on an alternative following Diomande’s decision. They do have three options in mind and one of them boasts Premier League experience.

GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs has confirmed that the Reds have Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Koln’s Said El Mala and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh on their shortlist. He told The Redmen TV that the club are “actively working on alternatives” and “want to be informed on the valuation of those targets.”

Perhaps the most enticing of the trio is El Mala, who has been on several Premier League clubs’ radars. The 19-year-old flourished in the Bundesliga last season, posting 13 goals and five assists in 36 games across competitions.

Liverpool are said to have fresh competition over their prime winger target this summer. The Reds are hoping to land a new attacker this summer despite having already snapped up Spain star Victor Muñóz on an early-summer deal, with Mo Salah’s departure leaving an almighty hole at Anfield.

Andoni Iraola will want to fill that hole, but he must also be cognisant of the other needs within his squad, with a winger likely to cost big money. At this point, it’s clear RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande is the prime target, but there is now fresh competition amid an eye-water price tag.

Real Madrid enter the race for Diomande

Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters

According to El Debate, Real Madrid have now entered the race for Diomande as José Mourinho looks to bolster his own attack. Los Blancos do have Vinicius Jr on the left, but there is potential for Diomande to play on the other side, given Rodrygo is going to be out until winter time following his long-term injury.

Real Madrid have the financial power to compete with Liverpool and PSG, who are said to be the main competitors for Diomande at this point, and it’s no secret Los Blancos club president Florentino Perez wants a Galactico signing this summer to back up his presidential promise of delivering one, even if fans already know that promise was an empty one.

What will help Liverpool and PSG is that Mourinho is said to be prioritising a high-profile midfield signing, with Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez being linked, and it’s unlikely the Spanish giants will spend another €100million on another single player after they address the midfield.

Still, there is cause for concern for Liverpool, who are now reportedly preparing a fresh offer worth £103.5million, which would be staggering money to pay for a 19-year-old.

Liverpool think Diomande is worth the money

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The Reds clearly believe Diomande is generational talent in the making, given they are willing to pay so much for a player who is relatively unproven. Diomande’s World Cup performances are also helping keep the asking price ticking upwards, as is interest from PSG, who could sell Bradley Barcola this summer.

Former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp agrees with the assessment of Diomande, too, recently saying: “Diomande is one of the best wingers in the world right now. He is unstoppable in one-on-one situations. Nobody defends Diomande for 90 minutes.”

That is high praise, given the standard of wingers at this World Cup, and Klopp is clearly a fine assessor of football talent.

A backstage update has emerged on WWE’s plans for Sami Zayn after the Canadian Superstar shockingly became the WWE Champion at Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

The 41-year-old pinned Cody Rhodes to win a Triple Threat match also involving Gunther in the evening’s main event to win his first ever world title in WWE.

Despite Sami being a heel on television at present, the crowd in Saudi Arabia erupted with joy at the result. Although Zayn was born in Canada, his parents emigrated from Syria, and he is a practicing Muslim who speaks Arabic.

WWE’s Original Plan For Sami Zayn in Saudi Arabia

Image Credit: WWE

This has helped him create a genuine connection with WWE fans in Saudi Arabia. Per a report from Cory Hays of False Finish, the company had originally planned to have Sami win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 43, which is also set to take place in Riyadh.

“They wanted to do it next year at WrestleMania. Getting him involved in this story with Cody and Gunther made this even more special,” wrote Hays on Twitter.

Sami’s surprise championship win came more than 11 years after his main roster debut, but he isn’t expected to hold the gold for long, according to veteran journalist Dave Meltzer.

How WWE ‘Really Feels’ About Sami Zayn

Heading into the Premium Live Event, defending champion Rhodes was considered to be a strong favourite to retain the title. However, the promotion opted pivot and give Sami the victory. His time on top is not expected to last, though.

​​​​​​​Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio after Night of Champions, Meltzer stated:

“The main event was a good match, real good. And, you know, the championship change was a surprise. I mean, I don’t think that he’s the guy in their plans.”

Painting a bleak picture of Zayn’s chances of enjoying an extended reign, Meltzer indicated that it may even be a struggle for Sami to still be champion after SummerSlam, which takes place in Minneapolis, Minnesota in just five weeks’ time.

“I don’t see a long reign, but I would hope it’s longer than SummerSlam. You know, I mean, long enough to where it’s not like one of those things where it’s like, well, we finally gave it to him, but we didn’t mean it, you know.”

While it may not last for long, Zayn’s peers in the locker room were quick to pay tribute to the veteran Superstar after he finally achieved his lifelong dream.

Among those to give Sami his flowers was his real-life best friend, Kevin Owens, who took to Twitter to share some heartfelt words congratulating his pal.

“When you’re consistently that good for that long, you become undeniable,” wrote ‘KO’.

Multiple-time Women’s Champion Becky Lynch joined in the celebrations as she admitted: “I’m crying tears of joy! So well deserved! Congratulations Sami Zayn.”

Zayn’s victory sees him become the 19th Grand Slam champion in WWE history, which is testament to his remarkable achievements in the ring. He has waited years to make it to the top of the mountain. It remains to be seen just how long he will stay there.