According to reports, Liverpool will face competition from five Premier League clubs for the signing of Real Betis teenager Assane Diao.

According to Spanish journalist Manu de Olmedo (via Inside Futbol), the dynamic 18-year-old winger has piqued the interest of several clubs. This season, the teenager has made nine La Liga appearances and scored in back-to-back games. On September 28, he scored in his club’s 1-1 draw with Granada, and then again on October 1 in their 3-0 triumph over Valencia.

The Spain under-21 international is primarily a left-sided winger who rose through the ranks at Real Betis. He can, however, play on the other wing as well as down the center. Jurgen Klopp and his team may be considering Diao as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is already 31 and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia (Anfield Watch).

Regardless of Liverpool’s intentions, the La Liga club would be under little pressure to sell the midfielder, who has signed a contract with the club until 2027. However, according to the aforementioned rumor, Diao may have a €30 million release clause that might be used to close the transaction.

Real Betis presently sits seventh in La Liga and first in their Europa League group. Despite the fact that Diao has been offered the option to play in Europe at his current club, a move to Anfield would provide him the chance to compete for the Premier League title.

The Reds also appear to be on track to finish in the Champions League places and return to Europe’s top club competition in 2024/25. The Merseysiders currently lead the Premier League.