Liverpool have spotted a Barcelona player, who didn’t do well there, as a possible ‘Mo Salah replacement’ along with bringing in Yan Diomande.
Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to sign a former Barcelona star as they keep chasing RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.
Even though the 2025/26 Premier League season ended just over two weeks ago, it’s already been a busy summer at Liverpool.
A few players have left, including club legends Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson. The manager Arne Slot was also let go and replaced by Andoni Iraola.
Some players might still leave, like Curtis Jones, who has caught the eye of Inter, and Federico Chiesa, who admitted he might move on. Cody Gakpo’s future is unclear too, with suggestions the club might sell if the price is right. Ibrahima Konate has already moved on and is almost certain to join Real Madrid.
Liverpool have been linked strongly with RB Leipzig forward Diomande, and talks have started with the German club. But Leipzig say he’s not for sale unless the offer hits around £112 million.
While Liverpool work on Diomande, they might also bring in another attacker. Portuguese news outlet Correio da Manha says Liverpool are near the top of the list for Sporting CP and Portugal’s Francisco Trincao.
Trincao is 26 and can play as an attacking midfielder or on the right wing, which is open now after Salah left. Last season, he scored 13 goals and made 15 assists in 54 games for Sporting, helping them finish second in their league, reach the cup final, and get to the Champions League quarter-finals.
He started at Barcelona but didn’t find much success there, scoring only three goals and two assists in 42 games. Still, he remembers playing with Lionel Messi very fondly.
After loan spells at Wolves and Sporting, Trincao joined Sporting permanently in 2023 and has become a key player for them.
Portuguese outlet Record says Liverpool are thinking about triggering Trincao’s £52 million release clause and are one of the main clubs interested.
Not many players can say they played with both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Trincao has done that. He once shared how Messi would greet him with a kiss every time they met, which was surprising at first but soon became normal.
He described Messi as calm on the pitch, leading by example and giving helpful advice that everyone trusted.
Looking back on his time at Barcelona, Trincao said: “Being 20 and wanted by a club like Barça, I wouldn’t say no to that. But maturity comes with time. If I keep improving, I’m sure I’ll be better in two years. Defining myself is hard, but I’d say I’m humble, grateful, and work very hard.”
Trincao is under contract with Sporting CP until the summer of 2030.