Liverpool Prepare Massive £146m Investment to Secure Successors for Club Legends Salah and Van Dijk
Liverpool is closing in on a £146m double deal for Yan Diomande and Alessandro Bastoni as long-term replacements for legends Salah and Van Dijk.
By: AXL Media
Published: Mar 14, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT
Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

The Succession Plan for an Anfield Icon
With Mohamed Salah approaching the latter stages of his historic tenure at Liverpool, the club has identified 19-year-old sensation Yan Diomande as the primary candidate to inherit the right-wing mantle. The RB Leipzig star has seen his stock soar during a breakout Bundesliga campaign, characterized by the explosive pace and clinical finishing that mirror Salah’s early years. Liverpool has received a significant boost in the race for the Ivorian international, as Bayern Munich has reportedly withdrawn from the pursuit due to the player's €100 million (£86 million) valuation. This leaves the Reds in a commanding position to negotiate for a player whose family reportedly holds deep-rooted ties to the Merseyside club.
Inter Milan Softens Stance on Defensive Leader
To address the eventual departure of captain Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool is intensifying its efforts to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan. The Italian international has long been regarded as one of Europe’s premier ball-playing center-backs, offering the physical presence and tactical intelligence required to anchor Arne Slot’s defensive line. In a surprising development, reports from Spain indicate that Inter’s asking price has dropped from €100 million to €70 million (£60.5 million). While Barcelona is also monitoring the situation, Liverpool’s superior financial standing is expected to give them the edge in any potential bidding war for the 26-year-old leader.
Financial Realities Force Bayern Munich Out of the Race
The withdrawal of Bayern Munich from the Diomande sweepstakes highlights the immense financial scale of Liverpool’s summer ambitions. Senior German reporters have confirmed that while Bayern "loves the player," they are unwilling to enter a "poker game" with Premier League giants for a signing that would demand a record-breaking fee. For Liverpool, the absence of their traditional European rivals provides a clearer path to securing Diomande, provided they can fend off domestic interest from Manchester United. The club’s willingness to sanction an £86 million outlay for a teenager underscores a strategic shift toward long-term dominance.
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