Man Utd told to 'hijack' Liverpool deal for £112m World Cup star

Man Utd have been told to hijack Liverpool’s deal (Picture: Getty)

Louis Saha has encouraged Manchester United to ‘hijack’ Liverpool ’s deal for Andoni Iraola ’s top summer transfer target.

Ex-Bournemouth boss Iraola has already started making plans to bolster his Liverpool squad after taking over from Arne Slot at Anfield .

Liverpool looked set to stick by Slot despite a disappointing campaign but made a U-turn following an end-of-season review .

Iraola wants to bring in a number of his own signings and strengthen a Liverpool team that finished just fifth in the Premier League , 12 months after winning the title.

Liverpool have identified RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande as a top target and believe he can replace departed club legend Mohamed Salah .

Diomande, 19, has attracted interest from a number of top clubs after a brilliant first season at Bundesliga side Leipzig.

Liverpool have indicated they are willing to pay £86m for the teenage star but Leipzig after holding out for 130m euros (£112m) .

New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola (Picture: Getty)

The Premier League giants are also aware of interest from other clubs in Diomande such as PSG, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Manchester United are also in the market for attacking talent and should enter the race for ‘superstar’ Diomande, according to former striker Saha.

‘Man United should definitely hijack Liverpool’s interest in Yan Diomande,’ Saha told Casinolyze . ‘This type of winger now dominates football.

RB Leipzig want £112m for Yan Diomande (Picture: Getty)

‘When you have that confidence and simplicity in your game, to dribble, pass, be physical, and be courageous, I love that. Those styles are amazing.

‘I think Diomande had a great opening game at the World Cup, and it’s been a year with Leipzig where he’s done really well.

‘I am pleased to see that kind of career because it was not easy starting in the US and now being a superstar. I think he can be a superstar like Lamine Yamal.’

Man Utd boss Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty)

Interest in Diomande only looks set to rise as he has enjoyed a bright start to the World Cup , with Ivory Coast on the verge of qualification to the knockout stages group Group E.

But former England striker Jay Bothroyd believes it would be a mistake for a club to pay over £100m for Diomande.

‘I’m not paying £112m for him,’ he said on Sky Sports . ‘He’s a very good player, there’s no doubt about that.

‘But you need to be one of the world’s best wingers to be worth that amount and I’m not sure he is that at the moment.

‘Liverpool would apparently pay £86m and I think that’s a better valuation and a fair valuation. Going above that, though, I can’t see that, I don’t see that.’

Liverpool have already signed one winger this summer, welcoming Victor Munoz to Anfield in a £34.5m deal from Osasuna .

While Manchester United are interested in signing a winger, midfield reinforcements remain the priority for new permanent boss Michael Carrick.

United have agreed a £35m deal to sign Brazil’s Ederson from Atalanta but want at least one more midfielder to arrive at Old Trafford.