Liverpool's summer transfer window has seen fresh developments, with Yan Diomande putting his future on hold and Alisson Becker's reported move to Juventus facing complications.
Diomande Focuses on World Cup Amid Liverpool Interest
Yan Diomande has made clear that speculation surrounding his future can wait as Ivory Coast gear up for their first-ever appearance in the knockout rounds of a World Cup. Liverpool declared their readiness to pay as much as £86m for the RB Leipzig star last week. However, the Bundesliga outfit are unwilling to part with the 19-year-old winger and are keen to open negotiations with the player's representatives over a fresh contract in Germany.
Diomande's agency, Roc Nation Sports, are understood to have been canvassing some of Europe's biggest clubs for several months regarding the player's next destination. European champions Paris Saint-Germain are also in the frame, though Liverpool's pursuit is believed to be the most progressed at this stage. Diomande assisted Nicolas Pepe on Thursday evening as the Elephants defeated Curacao 2-0 to advance to the last 32 of the World Cup. However, he was unwilling to discuss club football in the aftermath. He said: "Right now, I don't know. I am not thinking about my future after the World Cup. I am trying to put all my energy into the World Cup and we will see what is going to happen after that. I can say nothing about."
Alisson's Juventus Move Stalled
Football agent David Lavelle has highlighted Andoni Iraola's influence in retaining Alisson at Anfield this summer. Serie A heavyweights Juventus have been searching for a new goalkeeper and attempted to lure Liverpool's first choice between the sticks. It's been suggested the Brazilian had agreed a contract, with negotiations over a transfer fee between the two clubs proving the stumbling block. Lavelle spoke to Oggi Sport Notizie and shed light on what had complicated the move. "It must be remembered that Liverpool have changed their manager," he said. "Iraola probably wants to take a look at everyone. Alisson only has one year left on his contract. I know he's reached a personal agreement with Juventus. The Brazilian is worth around €15million (£13m) or so and the Bianconeri entered the race for this goalkeeper with a brazen offer. I don't know if the Juventus management offered €7m (£6m) to Liverpool just because he's in the final year of his contract."
Lavelle added that Liverpool would be keen to retain the star, who is currently representing Brazil at the World Cup. He continued: "Players of the calibre of [Mohamed] Salah and [Virgil] van Dijk are about to leave, and you need an older player in the dressing room. I think the Reds want to keep him for that reason."
