Liverpool Eye Leipzig Winger Nusa as Diomande Deal Threatens to Derail

Liverpool's search for a Salah successor has taken a turn toward contingency planning, with fresh reports suggesting they're eyeing RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa as a safety net should their primary target prove too difficult to land.

The Reds confirmed in March that Mohamed Salah would depart at season's end, allowing the Egyptian icon a proper farewell to supporters. Yet this season has been far from vintage for the 32-year-old. He's managed just seven goals and six assists across 26 Premier League outings—a far cry from last term's 29 goals and 18 assists in 38 appearances. Liverpool's league form has suffered accordingly, currently sitting fifth.

Yan Diomande has emerged as the leading candidate to fill that void. Back in April, Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reported that a move for the Ivorian had already been given the green light by Liverpool's decision-makers. "Concrete talks are ongoing with his representatives at Roc Nation Sports, although no agreement has been reached yet and the clubs have not entered negotiations," Plettenberg noted at the time.

However, Leipzig are digging in their heels. Club boss Oliver Mintzlaff recently suggested the 19-year-old is staying put, at least for another season. "If I were the sporting director, I wouldn't sell this young player, who hasn't even completed a full season with us yet, regardless of the asking price," Mintzlaff declared. The club value him at approximately £86.2m. Journalist Christian Falk has also reported that Leipzig plan to extend Diomande's contract, boost his wages, and insert a release clause—all designed to lock him down.

With that deal potentially stalling, Liverpool have turned their attention to Nusa, Diomande's Leipzig colleague. The winger carries an asking price of around €55m (£48m) and has caught the eye in the Bundesliga. Should negotiations for Diomande become untenable, the Reds are prepared to make their move for Nusa as part of a wider investment in wide players across both flanks.

Yet there's a complication: Nusa operates on the left wing, meaning he wouldn't represent a direct Salah replacement. His arrival would also raise questions about the development pathway for academy prospect Rio Ngumoha.