It never rains but it pours in the transfer market, and this summer Liverpool supporters are getting a proper soaking. Just as things appeared to be taking shape at Anfield, the window has shifted again — and the Reds find themselves recalibrating their attacking recruitment plans with the business end of pre-season approaching.

Let's start with the big one. Yan Diomande, the RB Leipzig forward who has been on Liverpool's radar all summer, now looks increasingly likely to end up elsewhere. Reports emerged this weekend suggesting Real Madrid have struck a deal in principle with Leipzig, with the fee understood to be in the region of £100 million. TEAMtalk have since reported that Diomande has agreed personal terms with the Spanish club, while talkSPORT's Alex Crook has been even more emphatic, stating flatly on social media that the deal is done. Crook also claims that Jose Mourinho played a significant personal role in getting the move over the line, with the Portuguese boss reportedly speaking directly to the player to help seal the agreement.

If that is indeed the case, it draws a firm line under what had been a prolonged Liverpool interest in the Ivory Coast international. The Reds will be disappointed — but they are not without options.

Chief among those is Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, who now appears to have moved to the top of Liverpool's shortlist. The 23-year-old has reportedly told PSG he has no intention of signing a new contract with the club, despite the Parisians opening discussions over improved terms. That kind of stand-off tends to have one outcome, and Liverpool will be watching developments closely.

What makes Barcola an even more intriguing proposition is the news that he has already turned down an approach from Chelsea, according to Le Parisien. That is a significant detail. It tells you this is not simply a player chasing the next offer that lands in front of him. If Barcola is being selective about his destination, the fact that Liverpool are understood to be interested should carry some weight. The Reds will hope it carries enough.

Elsewhere in the wide forward market, Liverpool have also been linked with Francisco Conceicao of Juventus. Italian outlets Tuttosport and Calciomercato both report that Liverpool are in contact with the Portugal international's representatives. The 23-year-old, who made his move to Turin permanent last summer following an impressive loan spell, is being considered as a more affordable alternative to the likes of Barcola or Diomande. Reports suggest a fee of around £42 million could get the deal done — comfortably less than half of what Leipzig were holding out for with Diomande.

There is also the matter of Maghnes Akliouche. The Monaco playmaker has been linked with Liverpool throughout the summer, but it now appears PSG are the ones pushing hardest to sign him. Les Parisiens are reportedly preparing a fourth bid for the 24-year-old, having already seen three offers rejected. Their highest bid so far has been around £34 million, but Monaco are reportedly holding firm at closer to £60 million. Whether PSG can bridge that gap remains to be seen, though Liverpool supporters will be keeping a close eye on how that saga unfolds.

And then there is Rayan. The 19-year-old Bournemouth winger, a Brazil international who joined the south-coast club from Vasco da Gama just six months ago in a deal potentially worth £30 million, has reportedly attracted interest from Liverpool in a more official capacity. The Standard report that the Reds are now in direct contact with Bournemouth over a possible move. There is just one complicating factor — Rayan has a release clause in his contract worth £130 million. Liverpool will be hoping the two clubs can find an agreeable middle ground considerably south of that figure.

Amidst all the transfer noise, Federico Chiesa offered a moment of genuine human honesty this weekend. The Italian winger, who made just two appearances under Arne Slot last season, is determined to prove himself under new manager Andoni Iraola.

"Right now, at the moment, I am happy here at Liverpool," Chiesa said. "I love the club, I love the fans, I love everything. I am doing the best I can to have a chance here. And then we will see."

He was candid about the frustrations of last season, too. "Last year I felt ready for a bigger role, then it depended on the coach whether he wanted me to play or not. Of course I wanted to play more but it is what it is. The gaffer decided to do so, he had his game plans, he took his decisions, I have nothing to say about that."

Chiesa also revealed that his early conversations with Iraola have been focused squarely on the football. "The only conversations I've had with Iraola were about pressing and tactics," he said, adding that the new manager has been deploying him as a striker. Whether that represents a genuine new chapter for the Italian or simply another false dawn is a question only time can answer — but the desire is clearly there.

With pre-season already underway following that 4-2 victory over Sunderland in Nashville, the clock is ticking on Liverpool's recruitment. The Diomande door appears to have closed, but the Barcola window may be opening — and how quickly the Reds can move through it could define the shape of their entire campaign.