Former Anfield hero Vladimir Smicer has publicly warning the Liverpool hierarchy against overpaying for 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.
The Reds have stepped up their interest in recent days, communicating to the German club that they are prepared to table a package worth up to £86m to secure the Ivory Coast international as they look to replace Mo Salah.
However, Leipzig are playing hardball, holding out for a fee closer to £112m for the teenager.
Smicer has urged caution.
“I would be careful with the price of Diomande because he only played one year in Germany,” he said.
“Of course, he’s 19 and is showing good things. Maybe in your head it’s better to buy him now for £50m than in two years for £150m. But he’s only had one season.
“We need a strong winger with pace, which is what we were missing this season. We’ll be missing Salah next season, so we need a replacement for that kind of player.”
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