Yan Diomande was supposed to be Mohamed Salah's heir. Instead, he's close to joing Paris Saint-Germain, and leaving Liverpool scrambling to piece together a new succession plan from a shortlist of emerging talents across four countries.

After Diomande made it clear to move to PSG. The French and European champions are now negotiating directly with RB Leipzig over a transfer.

Leipzig are holding out for a fee in the region of €150 million. Liverpool, despite tracking the Ivorian as their top target throughout the window, have not been prepared to match that figure.

Speaking ahead of Ivory Coast's World Cup round-of-32 clash with Norway, Diomande said: "I don't have Instagram anymore, I don't have TikTok, so I can't see anything, but I expect to leave RB Leipzig, of course. I have an agent who's going to manage the rest, but for me the most important thing right now is focusing on the World Cup with my country."

Those comments effectively rule Liverpool out of the race, leaving the club's recruitment to shift their attention to a growing list of alternative targets.

Six Names On Liverpool's Radar Right Now

With Diomande slipping out of reach, Liverpool have turned their attention to several alternative targets rather than betting everything on one replacement.

6. Rayan - Bournemouth

Rayan is another name Liverpool could move for as they rethink their plan. The 19-year-old has impressed since breaking into Bournemouth's first team, contributing seven goals and assists in 15 appearances before setting up Vinicius Jr in Ivory Coast's 3-0 World Cup win over Scotland last week.

Liverpool's biggest obstacle may be Bournemouth's £86 million release clause, which is expected to deter all but the most determined club might land him.

5. Said El Mala - FC Cologne

El Mala is available for almost £70m less than Diomande. The 19-year-old scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 36 appearances last season, performances that have caught Liverpool's attention.

He is capable of playing across the front line but is also comfortable operating as an attacking midfielder, giving Arne Slot greater tactical flexibility. The one issue that could complicate negotiations is El Mala's family.

It is understood that any club signing him will also bring in his brother, Malek El Mala, a condition that previously caused Brentford to walk away from talks.

4. Yankuba Minteh - Brighton

The Athletic claims Liverpool regard the 21-year-old as another option in place of Diomande, with a £40m allocation set aside for his signature.

Minteh has notched 10 goals and nine assists for Brighton since arriving from Newcastle in 2024, and was instrumental in the Seagulls' 2-1 win over Liverpool in March, with a lively display against Slot's side.

He is no stranger to Liverpool's head coach either. He flourished under Arne Slot during a loan spell at Feyenoord, registering 16 goal contributions in 37 appearances before earning his move to the Premier League.

3. Matias Fernandez-Pardo - Lille

Lille's Fernandez-Pardo has been confirmed as part of a separate group of alternatives that Liverpool had already been monitoring before the Diomande situation collapsed.

The Lille winger has been on the club's radar alongside Yankuba Minteh and El Mala, giving the recruitment team another option if they decide to widen their search.

Still only 20, Fernandez-Pardo has built a reputation in Ligue 1 for taking on defenders and carrying the ball into dangerous areas. His age, versatility and likely lower transfer fee make him an attractive alternative to some of the more expensive names Liverpool are considering.

2. Bradley Barcola - Paris Saint-Germain

PSG winger Barcola is among the leading alternatives Liverpool are weighing up after missing out on Diomande. The French international's future in Paris has become less certain after falling behind Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue in Luis Enrique's preferred front three, leaving him frustrated by a lack of starts in the biggest matches.

Liverpool are aware of the situation, although any deal would be expensive. PSG value the 23-year-old at around €90 million and, while they are not actively looking to sell, they would consider offers that meet that price.

Barcola is understood to be open to a move to the Premier League. He has registered 39 goals and 37 assists in 152 appearances for the French champions.

1. Bazoumana Toure - Hoffenheim (wildcard option)

    The Reds have also looked at another young Ivorian winger from the same academy pathway that produced Diomande. While he lacks Barcola's experience at senior level, his pace and lower valuation make him a profile Liverpool's recruitment department is understood to admire.

    Whether that interest develops into something more may depend on how far the club is prepared to invest after missing out on their primary target.