Liverpool weigh up £100m Bouaddi gamble as Diomande told to snub PSG

Liverpool may need to smash the £100million barrier to land Lille’s teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer, with the club’s president hinting heavily at his valuation, while the Reds continue to be linked with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande. According to the Mirror, the Anfield club have made a verbal offer for Diomande that has already been knocked back.

Liverpool have so far only added Spain international Victor Munoz from Osasuna this summer, despite being credited with interest in targets across defence, midfield and attack. The Mirror reports that the lack of further business is not down to a shortage of options, with two names in particular dominating the gossip columns.

Bouaddi’s price tag laid bare

Bouaddi has been one of the standout performers of the World Cup, helping Morocco to the AFCON title and catching the eye with a series of assured midfield displays. The 18-year-old has reportedly attracted interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, but Lille president Olivier Letang has made clear that a deal will not come cheap.

Speaking to Eurosport, Letang pointed to two recent big-money transfers as a guide to Bouaddi’s worth, referencing Elliot Anderson’s £116million move to Manchester City and Sandro Tonali’s £100million switch to Tottenham Hotspur. “How to answer that question… Have I spoken, brought up the subject, given a figure? No, never. You have to look at his level,” Letang said.

“How much have players like Anderson or Tonali been sold for, who are much older [23 and 26 respectively], but without room for improvement, so you have an idea of the value of Ayyoub, who has a unique profile at only 18 years old,” he added. Letang went on to stress that few clubs would be able to meet Lille’s demands. “Many clubs are interested in him, but very few can afford him right now. He’s already one of the best midfielders in the world and still has significant room for improvement. He’s only 18 and has his whole future ahead of him,” he said.

Cole tells Diomande to choose Liverpool over PSG

Diomande’s future also remains up in the air, with reports suggesting Paris Saint-Germain are keen to bring the RB Leipzig winger to France. However, former Liverpool player Joe Cole has urged the Ivorian to think twice before opting for the French champions.

“There’s a lot of top-level wingers in world football right now, but Diomande is as good as I’ve seen; he’s so explosive,” Cole said, via Paddy Power. “My advice to him as a young player is, don’t bother going to PSG. Go to Liverpool because if they want you and there’s a hole in the team to play, then they really need you.”

“PSG don’t need anybody, but maybe his heart is set on Paris. If that’s the case and he backs himself, I’ve got no problem with that. But if Liverpool still want him, go out and convince him because I think that would be the move that suits him best,” Cole added.

The Mirror reports that Liverpool have already tabled a verbal offer of £86million for Diomande, only for it to be turned down by Leipzig, who are said to be holding out for around £112million to sanction his sale.

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