In-form winger eyed by Liverpool to replace Mohamed Salah

Liverpool are set for an attacking overhaul in the summer with several first-team stars at risk of being moved on.

Anfield Watch revealed that Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez are among the players being considered for the exit by Arne Slot and Richard Hughes.

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There are further question marks over Luis Diaz and Federico Chiesa while Mohamed Salah’s contract situation still hasn’t been resolved. The Egyptian King is out of contract in summer 2025 and as things stand he is on the final stretch of an unforgettable Anfield stay.

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And should Liverpool lose all these forward options then replacements will need to be sourced.

Several strikers have been linked in the shape of Alexander Isak, Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike while a plethora of wingers have also been named as Liverpool targets.

One surprise name who has recently emerged on the Reds’ recruitment shortlist is Spain under-21 winger Assane Diao.

Liverpool watching Assane Diao

The 19-year-old burst onto the scene a couple of years ago with Real Betis but saw his career stall in the intervening time period. However, the Senegal-born wide man has been rejuvenated by a winter transfer to Cesc Fabregas’ Como in Serie A.

Betis let Diao go for around €12m (£10m) and he has taken to life in the Italian top flight with gusto. Diao is one of the most talked-about forwards in Serie A at the minute with five goals in his first eight league outings.

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That sequence includes goals against big-name opponents AC Milan, Juventus and Napoli and he is already being considered for an onward transfer.

That’s according to Senegalese journalist Khadim Diakhate, who claims Liverpool and Newcastle are monitoring the teenager’s progress.

A versatile attacker, Diao has featured on both the left and right wings since his arrival on a four-and-a-half-year contract from Betis. The winger’s age and versatility are sure to appeal to Slot and Hughes as they consider Liverpool’s attacking rebuild.

Diao's "great intelligence"

“Assane possesses a combination of speed, technical skill, and an eye for goal,” head coach Fabregas said upon his unveiling.

“Off the ball, he shows great intelligence in finding open spaces to run into. His versatility will be a great asset to the team and I look forward to working with him.

“He is a player for the present and future of this club and this signing is another example of our ongoing strategy to bring young promising talent into the club to develop and grow with us.”

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It’s clear Como’s present transfer strategy is to polish diamonds in the hope of preparing them for bigger outbound transfers. That moment might come sooner rather than later in the case of Diao.

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