On Monday morning, Yan Diomande starred at the Philadelphia Stadium as Ivory Coast defeated Ecuador at the World Cup. For those curious Liverpool fans who braved the late-night watch, they were duly rewarded by a show-stopping performance.

New head coach Andoni Iraola will be pleased with his international competitors, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz both shining for their countries, but Diomande has emerged as Liverpool's top summer target after Mohamed Salah decided to call time on his Anfield career.

Diomande's breakout campaign with RB Leipzig has put his name on the map, but he has now marked himself down as one of the best in the business, dismantling Arsenal's Piero Hincapie on Monday.

Liverpool need a profile such as his, but whether they manage to beat Paris Saint-Germain to his nine-digit signature remains to be seen.

At Anfield, more attacking flair is needed. Liverpool have been treated to fireworks in the form of Rio Ngumoha on the left this season, but more superstar potential is needed to strengthen Iraola's case.

Liverpool in talks to sign World Cup superstar

Diomande isn't the only top Liverpool target currently starring at the World Cup. Iraola and FSG have any number of issues to iron out this summer after such a dismal campaign, and not just in attack.

Ibrahima Konate will play for Real Madrid next season, but Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes has already acted to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for £60m.

Then there are midfield problems to contend with. Alexis Mac Allister was far removed from his former influential level under Arne Slot in 2025/26. He may leave, and Curtis Jones' future at his boyhood club is a hot topic too.

To solve this conundrum, Liverpool are considering a move for Moroccan sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, with reports from France revealing that Reds executives have made the trip over the pond to discuss his potential transfer this summer.

The LOSC Lille prospect, only 18 years old, is also being tracked by Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Tottenham and many more, and the Ligue 1 midfielder has thus been priced at £60m by his employers.

Why Bouaddi can be Liverpool's new superstar

Liverpool would hit the jackpot by signing Bouaddi this summer, a young and all-action midfielder who would rival the likes of Ngumoha (and potentially Diomande) for being the most exciting up-and-comer under Iraola's wing.

There is a point to be made about overinflating emergent talents at the World Cup, but Bouaddi "is going to be a superstar", according to Liverpool content creator Asim Mahmood, who remarked that the teenager has "bits of Declan Rice" about his game.

He'd fit like a tailor-made glove. Bouaddi's all-encompassing performance against Seleção established him in the mind of the wider football fan, but after such excellent efforts throughout the season for Lille, Bouaddi could even replace Ngumoha as Liverpool's most treasured teenager.

Elegant on the ball, Bouaddi completed 61% of his dribbles in France this year, also winning 4.7 duels and recovering five duels per game on average. He doesn't sit deep, but collects, turns, prances, into space, into danger, where he can create or find space to strike on goal himself.

Think of Bouaddi as a paragon of composure and technical command. Did we mention that he is 18 years old? Well he is, pressing himself against defensive walls and contorting opponents out of shape. Against Brazil, he demonstrated age-defying defensive discipline, somehow squeezing away from Brazilian pressure in acts of escape that would earn Houdini's nod of approval.

Sometimes, you just know. And it's clear that Liverpool are onto a winner with Ngumoha. Moreover, it's clear that he has the capacity to outshine his attacking peers next season, not just on Merseyside but across the continent

Likewise, Bouaddi is quickly establishing himself as one of the most sought-after midfielders in the world, backing up several years in France with a show-stopping display on the major stage for his nation - and against an opponent as confident and flashy as Brazil.

Bouaddi will surely sign for a top European outfit. If not this year, then at some point in the near future. He is something special, capable of defending, attacking and duelling with consummate sureness and style.

Could he end up outshining Ngumoha? Quite possibly. Already established on the biggest stage imaginable, the Moroccan superstar could pack the perfect punch that the Liverpool machine has been lacking in midfield over the past year.