Liverpool have begun their summer campaign proactively, reacting to a disappointing title defence by appointing Andoni Iraola as their new manager at Anfield, replacing Arne Slot.

This managerial change marks the first significant step in what could become another eventful off-season on Merseyside, following last year’s extensive £450 million investment that brought several new signings. Despite that, Slot struggled to get the best out of his refreshed squad.

One of Iraola’s earliest challenges will be to prepare for life after the confirmed departures of key players, with Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate all bidding farewell at the end of the season.

Given the enormous influence Salah has had since joining Liverpool in 2017, finding a suitable replacement for the Egyptian forward will be one of the club’s top priorities. Several players have been linked with a potential move to Anfield in recent weeks and months.

Among those repeatedly mentioned is RB Leipzig’s promising teenage winger Yan Diomande, who enjoyed an excellent debut season in the Bundesliga, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists across 33 appearances.

However, as Liverpool begin exploring their transfer options this summer, the 19-year-old appears to have his sights set on one of the Reds’ major European rivals.

“Paris Saint-Germain is a team I’ve loved since childhood. My father supports Paris Saint-Germain, and it’s a club I’ve always admired as a football fan,” Diomande told L’Equipe.

He added, “It would be a dream to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. It would also be easier to adapt there since French is spoken, so why not?”

“Right now, I’m not thinking too much about the future or any possible transfers. As I’ve said before, my focus is on the World Cup. After that, the clubs will handle discussions, and we’ll see what happens next.”

Diomande’s remarks come shortly after he was named the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season, with RB Leipzig now preparing for significant transfer interest in the Ivory Coast international.

The winger joined Leipzig from a Spanish club last summer when his €20 million release clause was triggered. He is now valued at €90 million according to Transfermarkt, though ESPN reports that Leipzig have set an initial asking price of €130 million for him.

Liverpool are believed to have made initial contact with Leipzig regarding a possible deal, while Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and PSG have all been linked with Diomande’s signature.

According to FourFourTwo, Liverpool’s interest in Diomande as a potential successor to Salah is understandable given his impressive rise. However, considering last summer’s substantial spending and the other areas of the squad that require strengthening, engaging in a bidding war with Europe’s financial heavyweights might not be the wisest move for Iraola’s side this transfer window.