Liverpool Hits a Wall on Yan Diomande. Here’s the 50 Million Euro Plan B.

Liverpool’s long chase for Yan Diomande is basically dead. The Ivorian winger, who turned 19 a few months ago, has made it clear he wants Paris Saint-Germain. And PSG is fine waiting until 2027 to get him.

So now the Reds are scrambling. Sporting director Richard Hughes put together a package worth up to 100 million euros for the RB Leipzig forward. Leipzig said no. Liverpool thought about coming back with another offer, but multiple reports say there’s no point. Diomande’s mind is made up.

That leaves Liverpool needing a winger. Everyone knows the priority is adding pace and a guy who can beat his man one-on-one out wide. It’s not a secret.

According to a report from Fussball Daten, their Plan B is Said El Mala of Koln. He’s also 19. And he had a breakout season in the Bundesliga with the Billy Goats. Thirteen league goals and four assists. That’s legit for a teenager on a mid-table team.

Why Koln Might Actually Sell

Koln has financial rules to worry about. They might need to cash in on their best player. Borussia Dortmund already tried to get El Mala this summer. They offered 35 million euros plus two young players on loan for the season. Koln said no.

They want cash. Around 50 million euros. And Premier League teams are circling. Newcastle is interested. So are Brighton and Brentford. El Mala is a Germany under-21 international, and there’s a feeling he could be a star in a couple years.

The report specifically mentions Liverpool. It says, Behind this formidable continental race, another global heavyweight awaits: Liverpool. The English top club wants to rejuvenate its attack and achieve a first-class squad rotation. It also says Liverpool will officially approach El Mala depending on how their primary targets go. And if the Diomande deal stalls completely, the speculation is Liverpool could knock on Cologne’s door with serious money.

That’s basically what happened. Diomande stalled. Now the question is whether Liverpool actually pulls the trigger on El Mala, or if they get into a bidding war with Newcastle and Brighton.

Andoni Iraola’s side probably needs to move fast. Dortmund already got turned down. Koln is waiting for the right offer. The market moves quick in June.