Liverpool news and transfers LIVE: Darwin Nunez return, Yan Diomande 'close', Boauddi talks

Liverpool and Manchester City have both been left out of Marcus Rashford’s release clause as the Manchester United star weighs up his next move.

Rashford could still be on the move this summer, despite Barcelona not turning his loan move permanent, although there’s no chance of Liverpool or City being in the running for his signature. The Athletic reports that there is a $54M clause included in his contract that is available to any clubs - bar United’s two biggest rivals.

That is unlikely to effect Liverpool, with Rashford having not been seriously linked with a move to Anfield, although the 28-year-old has been previously touted as a surprise option for the Reds.

Yan Diomande has dropped yet another hint that he could be heading to Liverpool this summer, having suggested that he is open to a move to the Premier League.

Speaking after Ivory Coast’s 1-0 win over Ecuador, in which he won the player of the match award, Diomande impressed reporters as he spoke in English, leading one to ask (via beIN Sports) whether he would be interested in playing in the Premier League.

I don’t know. I’m an RB Leipzig player, but why not? My agents will sort that out. As for me, I’m more focused on the World Cup, that’s the most important thing. It doesn’t happen all the time, it’s only every four years, so I’m making the most of it, and as for the rest, we’ll see.

Liverpool is NOT planning for Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez to be at the club next season, despite ongoing speculation over the pair’s futures.

According to The Athletic, neither Nunez nor Salah are being eyed up for Liverpool next season. Senior sources at the club are said to have insisted that a return for the former is not on the cards, while there is “no chance” of a U-turn being made on Salah’s exit.

It’s reported that all parties “felt it was the right time to go their separate ways”, with Salah having initiated the talks that eventually resulted in his departure being agreed. Despite Arne Slot having since been fired, and Andoni Iraola being confirmed as his replacement, Liverpool is focusing on replacing Salah rather than trying to convince him to stay.

Hugo Ekitike is reportedly eyeing a return to action by Boxing Day as the Liverpool striker continues his recovery from a serious Achilles injury.

L'Equipe claims that Ekitike has been in 'immense pain' for the past two months after suffering the injury against PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Having been ruled out of the World Cup, Ekitike is said to be pretending that football 'ceased to exist' as he comes to terms with the severity of his injury.

Liverpool is set to allow young defender Carter Pinnington to leave the club on a free transfer, despite him being under contract at Anfield.

According to the Daily Mail, the 19-year-old will be allowed to join Championship side West Brom without a transfer fee, with the deal instead structured with appearance-based add-ons and a sell-on clause.

Crystal Palace is also said to have been keen on the center-back, who was named on the bench against the Eagles in the Carabao Cup back in October.

Liverpool fans may have to wait for the club to make some moves in the summer transfer window as Andoni Iraola is given time to assess his new squad.

According to The Athletic, there is an acceptance internally at Anfield that business is more likely to happen later in the transfer window, due to the World Cup and Iraola’s desire to asses the squad he’s inherited.

Lille will demand around $81 million (€70M) for Ayyoub Bouaddi this summer, according to Sky Sports in Switzerland, with Liverpool and Arsenal having both been linked with the Morocco star - although he's said to prefer PSG.

The 18-year-old caught the eye during his country's 1-1 draw with Brazil at the weekend, and the Reds are said to be among the clubs to have made contact with his agents about a potential transfer.

Arsenal though is being heavily linked with Bouaddi, having been claimed to have been working on him for several months and maintained regular contact since January. PSG is also said to be interested, and the player said to have a slight preference for the European champions.

RB Leipzig could demand as much as $174 million for Yan Diomande this summer, according to reports in Germany, which also suggest Liverpool may be closing in on his signing.

Fussbaldaten claims that the winger's initial asking price was around $116M (€100M), but that figure has risen to $151M (€130M) as Leipzig looks to retain his services. It's even suggested that, if he continues to perform well at the World Cup, a deal may only be approved if the entire transfer package approaches $174M (€150M).

As has been reported elsewhere, Liverpool is said to be the club pushing most aggressively for Diomande's signing, and is even claimed to be close to completing the transfer. Paris Saint-Germain is still in the running, although it's suggested the European champions will have to offload one of Bradley Barcola, Goncalo Ramos or Kang-in Lee first.

Darwin Nunez's World Cup didn't get off to the best of starts. The former Liverpool striker was replaced at half-time as Uruguay toiled to a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, havign barely touched the ball during the first half.

That wouldn't have done much to convince Reds fans further as he continues to be linked with a return to Anfield. Uruguayan journalist Martin Charquero has sensationally posted that Nunez is returning to Liverpool, although he suggested that confirmation of the move will not be given over the next few days, with Nunez having asked for his focus to be on Uruguay’s World Cup campaign.

Fabrizio Romano though has indicated that sources close to Nunez have downplayed reports of a return to the Reds this summer.

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