One of the biggest talents in world football was ready to join Liverpool this summer. However, the deal collapsed.

Liverpool entered this summer’s transfer window with a clear strategy. The club sought a new winger and was prepared to invest significantly.

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Last season’s squad struggled to maintain productivity from the flanks and faced a further setback with Mohamed Salah departing on a free transfer. Although Victor Munoz arrived from Osasuna, he alone cannot fill the void, particularly given that he doesn’t play on Salah’s side.

The player Liverpool had their eyes on was Yan Diomande, as widely reported. At one point, the team appeared to be the frontrunners for his signature following an impressive debut season with RB Leipzig.

However, circumstances shifted when Paris Saint-Germain became involved, capturing Diomande’s attention. He seemed set to join PSG until Real Madrid entered the fray and ultimately secured his signing.

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Real Madrid finalized the transfer for €140 million, according to the BBC, a figure well above Liverpool’s reported offer. So what went wrong? The Athletic has provided insights into the situation.

Reports indicate that Liverpool indeed led the race initially, with Diomande prepared to sign with them. Then, two factors changed the dynamic.

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First, Liverpool presented a lower-than-expected offer to Leipzig, under €100 million, which got rejected. Subsequently, the club hesitated on how to proceed, a pause that seemed warranted at the time.

Ongoing changes at Anfield contributed to the uncertainty, particularly following the departure of head coach Arne Slot and the hiring of Andoni Iraola, which affected Diomande’s perception of the club’s direction.

PSG then offered him a chance to contend for trophies immediately, and Real Madrid followed suit, agreeing to pay €140 million for his services.

Liverpool’s offer, while lower, may have been reconsidered; perhaps a slightly more competitive bid initially could have tilted the scales in their favor before other clubs entered the picture.

One of the biggest talents in world football was ready to join Liverpool this summer. However, the deal collapsed.

Liverpool went into this summer transfer window with a plan. They wanted a new winger and were ready to spend big on him.

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After all, the squad lacked production from wide areas last season and then lost Mohamed Salah on a free transfer. Victor Munoz has joined from Osasuna but he’s not going to make up the difference on his own – especially as he doesn’t actually play on Salah’s side.

The big name Liverpool wanted was Yan Diomande, as reported at the time by absolutely everyone. The Reds, at one stage, looked like favourites to sign him after a brilliant debut campaign with RB Leipzig.

And then things turned. Paris Saint-Germain got involved and turned Diomande’s head, with him looking destined to move there. Only, Real Madrid got involved and turned Diomande’s head, and he did move there.

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Los Blancos have completed the deal at €140m, per the BBC, far above what Liverpool were reportedly offering. So what happened? The Athletic have explained all.

They’ve claimed that Liverpool did indeed lead the race at one stage and Diomande was ready to join them. Then two things happened.

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Firstly, Liverpool low-balled Leipzig with their offer, putting up under €100m. It was rejected, naturally, and the Reds dallied a bit on what to do next – though, with good reason.

Arne Slot lost his job as head coach and was replaced by Andoni Iraola, shifting things at Anfield. That had an extra effect, though, as it put off Diomande, who now believed that Liverpool were heading into a transitional season.

PSG, at the time, offered him the opportunity to challenge for trophies right away. Real Madrid then did the same and were willing to pay €140m to get it done.

Liverpool were never going that high but who knows? A little higher with their initial offer and perhaps Diomande would have signed for the club before anyone else even got involved.