Liverpool face growing competition for £88m target and another ‘quality’ prospect

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The Reds’ transfer plans for 2026 are under increasing pressure as major European rivals circle key targets.

Manchester City are not the only club threatening to derail Liverpool’s transfer strategy for 2026. After Antoine Semenyo was recently reported to be edging closer to a move to the Etihad, and Marc Guehi emerged as another City target amid defensive concerns, Liverpool now appear to be losing ground on multiple fronts.

Missing out on proven Premier League performers would already be damaging, but new developments suggest two additional players linked with Anfield are also attracting significant attention elsewhere across Europe.

Bayern Munich enter the race for Diomande and El Mala

Liverpool have been heavily linked with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with reports late last year suggesting the German club would demand close to €100 million — roughly £88 million — for the highly rated wide player.

More recently, FC Köln’s Saïd El Mala has also been associated with a potential move to Merseyside. The winger has previously been described as a ‘quality’ player by Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany, and now the Bundesliga champions have officially placed both Diomande and El Mala on their summer shortlist.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern’s recruitment strategy prioritises signing a top-class left winger, with El Mala currently among their leading options. Diomande, under contract until 2030 and without a release clause, is also firmly in their plans, with any potential move expected after the World Cup depending heavily on price.

Liverpool’s worrying lack of momentum in the market

At present, there is little indication that Liverpool are close to completing any significant first-team business this January. Instead, the narrative is shifting toward their top targets becoming increasingly likely to join rival clubs.

While losing players to Bayern Munich is problematic, allowing Manchester City to strengthen at Liverpool’s expense would be particularly damaging. Despite signs that City’s dominance may have waned, they appear ready to invest heavily once again. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s post-title slump following their 2024/25 triumph continues, with no clear signals of change — either in the dugout or in the transfer market — to arrest the decline.