Liverpool and Tottenham are following Norway’s World Cup profile Andreas Schjelderup closely, while rumours of a new bid for Yan Diomande are being refuted.
Liverpool have already started the renewal of their winger positions by hijacking Victor Munoz from under Newcastle’s noses – a deal worth €40 million. Munoz will give Cody Gakpo competition and cover on the left wing.
Read: Norway vs. France: Predicted line-ups, stats and prediction – group final for first place
But Liverpool are still looking for more reinforcements on the wings. Anfield legend Mohamed Salah has left the club, and Gakpo may have to contribute as a centre-forward for Alexander Isak – until Hugo Ekitike is back from his Achilles injury.
Liverpool are pushing hard to get a deal for RB Leizig profile Diomande who is becoming increasingly expensive, but Italian Tuttomercatoweb reports that Benfica’s Schjelderup is also being closely followed by Anfield management.
Both Liverpool and Spurs are “following” the 22-year-old attacker – and preparing for potential transfer talks. Atlético Madrid, AC Milan and Como are also interested.
Schjelderup has played in Norway’s first two World Cup group games, after an impressive club campaign for Benfica. He recorded ten goals and seven assists in 43 games as Benfica went unbeaten through the Primeira Liga under Jose Mourinho – but still failed to win the league.
Benfica originally paid €14 million for Schjelderup, and the report claims he is now worth “more than double” – with a price tag of around €30 million. However, on Friday morning, Portuguese newspaper Record revealed that Benfica will only consider bids of €40 million or more.
The Record also writes that Spurs have thrown themselves into the race for Schjelderup, in competition with Liverpool – interest that is also confirmed by TMW.
Read: Mohamed Salah offered €80 million contract
Diomande rumors rejected – but new bid “may” come
There were rumours on Thursday afternoon that Liverpool had increased their “bid” for Diomande to €116 million – after an initial bid of €100 million was rejected.
But Sky Germany’s Philipp Hinze quickly dismissed the rumour, stating that it is “not true”. “There has not yet been a new bid,” he added.
Liverpool management have discussed whether to make a new bid – which could be worth between €116 million and €120 million.
A bid of 120 million euros will certainly make Leipzig consider a sale, but there is still no guarantee that it will last. – Moreover, with the Alexander Isak purchase fresh in his mind, the pendulum will now swing towards a no thanks.
TEAMtalk revealed on June 19 that Leipzig are sticking to a Bundesliga record sum of €148 million for Diomande – because they want to keep him for at least one more year.
Even with the high valuation, Liverpool would far rather sign Diomande than Schjelderup. The latter plays mainly on the left wing – a position Munoz has already reinforced. Diomande, on the other hand, is equally effective on both flanks – making him an exceptionally valuable piece.
