Liverpool in talks to sign Anfield’s best winger since Diaz

Liverpool are closing in on the appointment of Etiënne Reijnen, who will join Arne Slot in the dugout next season.

The 39-year-old supported Slot in the dugout at Feyenoord during the 2023/24 season, and it’s a move that deepens FSG’s support for Anfield’s head coach, combating rising rumours that he is going to be sacked after the end-of-season review.

That FSG are looking to squash such rumours provides clarity, for sure, but it’s not a decision that much of the Liverpool persuasion will agree with after such a dismal campaign, fifth in the Premier League and going without silverware.

Liverpool need to make changes, though. And efforts have already been made to sign several wingers in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool line up Premier League winger

Yan Diomande is among Liverpool’s top targets this summer, and it’s clear to see why. He’s fast and furious, effortless on the ball and with a still-developing prolific edge.

However, at £87m, he would cost FSG a pretty penny indeed, and Liverpool need to make a series of changes this summer, such as strengthening out on the left and in the middle of the park.

With that in mind, Liverpool could focus their efforts on signing Yankuba Minteh from Brighton & Hove Albion instead, with journalist Matt Thielen claiming that the Merseysiders are already in talks to sign the Gambian winger, who is keen on the move.

Minteh, 21, has grown into one of Brighton’s top forwards over the past two years, fierce in front of goal, and while he would be more affordable than Diomande as Salah’s replacement, it would still cost Liverpool something in the region of £60m.

Even so, he might actually be the better pick, not only more cost-efficient but capable of making a bigger impact from the start too, even establishing himself as Liverpool’s best winger since Luis Diaz.

Why Minteh could be Liverpool’s best winger since Diaz

Diaz left Liverpool and joined Bayern Munich for £65.5m last summer, going on to win silverware and clinch so many goals and assists under Vincent Kompany.

Selling the 29-year-old was the right call, but FSG failed to replace him. Now, albeit on the alternate flank, Liverpool could rekindle that pace and potency and directness through Minteh, who is shaping into quite the player.

The jet-heeled winger has a wealth of Premier League experience and he has previously worked under Slot. His prolific numbers probably leave something to be desired, but you could say the same for Diomande in the Bundesliga.

After all, it’s clear that Liverpool would not secure a new winger on the level of, say, Diaz, who has been in blinding form for Bayern Munich.

One scout has even said that Minteh “can reach Sadio Mane[‘s] level” in the Premier League, boasting all the attributes to become a superstar.

Could he be Liverpool’s finest since Diaz? Well, Salah has been well out of sorts this year, and Cody Gakpo has left a lot to be desired too.

He might not produce quite as impressive numbers as Diomande, but the Bundesliga talent probably competes against a lower level of opposition each week, and we need only look at Florian Wirtz to see how difficult it is to transition to Premier League football.

Diaz will have no regrets over his decision to leave Liverpool and join the German champions, but FSG must surely regret their actions thereafter, holding fire in the transfer market and targeting alternative positions.

The absense of someone of Diaz’s profile has formed the crux of Liverpool’s decline this season – or one of the multiple cruxes, in any case.

Minteh might not be the finished product, but he would join Liverpool for a smaller sum than Diomande, and with a wealth of Premier League experience to back himself up.