There’s a name Liverpool fans should be keeping an eye on, and it’s one that has been linked with Anfield before.
Assane Diao.
The Senegal international is attracting renewed interest from Premier League clubs after some impressive performances for Como, with Liverpool once again being mentioned as a potential destination.
And I can see why.
Liverpool need to keep looking at young attacking players who can bring something different to the squad. Diao has pace, power and the ability to take defenders on, and those are qualities I would love to see more of in Liverpool’s attack.
This is not to say a deal is imminent. Far from it.
But the fact Liverpool continue to be linked with him makes this one worth watching.
Liverpool have been watching him for a while
This isn’t a completely new name appearing out of nowhere.
Liverpool have previously been reported to be long-term admirers of Diao, dating back to his time at Real Betis before he moved to Como in January 2025.
Anfield Watch has reported that Liverpool’s scouts viewed him as a potential project player who could develop into a first-team option. There has also been a suggestion that Diao would be interested in playing for Liverpool himself.
That makes the renewed links particularly interesting.
Liverpool are not necessarily looking for another expensive signing who has to start every week immediately. They also need to think about the next few years and make sure there is enough pace, depth and competition in their forward line.
Diao could fit that kind of recruitment strategy.
At 21, he still has plenty of development ahead of him, but he has already shown that he can compete in Serie A.
What makes Diao so interesting?
For me, it is his directness.
Diao is comfortable playing on either wing, can attack defenders one-on-one and has the acceleration to make life difficult for full-backs.
He is also physically strong, which matters in the Premier League. You need more than technical ability to succeed in England; you need to be able to handle the contact, maintain your balance and keep moving when defenders try to stop you.
Diao has some of those attributes already.
His start to the 2026/27 season has helped bring him back onto the radar. Recent reports have credited him with goals and an assist in Como’s opening league matches, while Opta’s player profile records him as having featured in all five of Como’s Serie A games at the time of its latest update.
He is not yet a finished product, but there is enough there to understand why clubs are watching him.
Could he be what Liverpool need?
Liverpool have invested heavily in their attack, so any new signing has to make sense.
I wouldn’t want the club signing Diao simply because he is young and exciting. There needs to be a clear plan for how he would fit into the squad and how much playing time he could realistically receive.
But I do like the idea of adding another forward who can carry the ball at speed and stretch opposition defences.
Sometimes Liverpool need somebody who can beat a defender rather than move the ball sideways and wait for an opening. A player who can drive into space, force opponents to retreat and create danger in transition gives a team another way to attack.
Diao’s ability to operate on either flank could also be useful across a long season.
If Liverpool believe he can develop further under Andoni Iraola, this is exactly the sort of profile worth investigating.
Como won’t make it easy
There is one major complication.
Como are not keen to lose Diao.
Reports in September suggested that the Italian club had rejected interest from Premier League sides and regarded him as an important part of their plans. More recent reporting has also indicated that Como want to secure his future with a new contract.
That means Liverpool would have competition, and they may have to pay a substantial fee to persuade Como to sell.
Manchester United have also been linked with Diao, alongside clubs including Newcastle United and Aston Villa. One recent report placed Como’s valuation in the region of €50m to €55m, although that figure should be treated as reported rather than a confirmed asking price.
So this is not necessarily a straightforward opportunity to pick up a promising young winger cheaply.
Liverpool would need to be convinced that the investment is worthwhile.
This is one to watch
I don’t want to get carried away every time Liverpool are linked with a young attacker. Transfer rumours are one thing; a genuine bid is another.
But Diao is a player I would keep watching.
He has speed, strength, versatility and the confidence to attack defenders. Liverpool have reportedly tracked him for some time, and the renewed interest from Premier League clubs suggests his performances at Como are attracting attention.
For me, the key question is whether Liverpool see him as a future star or an immediate first-team option.
If they believe he has the potential to become a major attacking player, I can understand why they would want to move before his value rises further.
But they must have a plan for him, because spending a significant fee on another young attacker only makes sense if he is going to get the opportunities to develop.
I like the profile. I like the potential. And I like the idea of Liverpool continuing to look for players who can bring pace and unpredictability to the attack.
Nothing is guaranteed, and there is no confirmed deal at this stage.
Still, Assane Diao is one name Liverpool fans should be watching closely.
If these links keep growing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see his name feature in plenty more transfer discussions.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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