Liverpool is looking to “hit Sadio Mane level” with a dream first slot acquisition.
Arne Slot’s dream initial signing for his new Anfield team would be ideal. On Friday, Spanish outlet Diario AS disclosed that Liverpool has set a significant asking price of €75m (£68m) for Barcelona-linked Luis Diaz. Despite consistent rumors about the Colombian moving to Catalonia, the speculation shows no signs of abating. Diaz, a reliable performer for Liverpool during the 2023/24 season, scored 13 goals in 51 matches. With Jurgen Klopp’s departure and Diaz’s performance considered, FSG and footballing CEO Michael Edwards might find it difficult to reject an offer meeting the mentioned amount.
On the other wing, Mohamed Salah is poised to continue as a key player for Slot’s Liverpool next season. Entering the final year of his £350k-per-week contract, Salah remains one of Europe’s top forwards, having scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists as Liverpool secured third place in the Premier League and won the Carabao Cup. However, with Salah nearing 32 years of age, Liverpool must plan for the future. The club is searching for a wide forward, and while the left side remains uncertain, Edwards and his team are looking for Salah’s successor and may have found an ideal candidate.
According to The Telegraph, Newcastle United are grappling with PSR issues and might consider selling Yankuba Minteh, a valuable asset, to balance their books. The 19-year-old winger had an impressive breakout season on loan at Feyenoord. Liverpool could benefit from Newcastle’s situation by signing the Gambia international to strengthen their wide options.
Despite Newcastle’s reluctance to sell, a £40m offer might compel them to accept. Minteh, signed from Danish side Odense Boldklub in July 2023 for around £6m, was loaned to Eredivisie champions Feyenoord to develop his talent. Odense’s chief executive, Steffen Nielsen, praised Minteh’s “magic” with the ball, which he demonstrated with ten goals and six assists in 27 matches in the Dutch top flight and a goal against Celtic in the Champions League.
Primarily a right winger, Liverpool would value Minteh’s goalscoring prowess, with his impressive underlying stats drawing data-driven Edwards’ attention. Excelling in goals per game, assist rate, and positive forward actions, Minteh seems poised for a stellar European career. Given his comparisons to Liverpool legend Sadio Mane, Slot should push to finalize the deal, having coached Minteh in the recent season.