Sources: Liverpool “working overtime” on Salah replacements – don’t rule out cash-plus-player deal
Liverpool are understood to be “working overtime” as they internally analyse ideal transfer targets to replace Mohamed Salah.
As reported here for my Daily Briefing exclusive, the Reds have been looking into winger targets for some time now as there have been lingering doubts over Salah’s future this season.
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The Egypt international has now confirmed he’ll be leaving Anfield at the end of this season, and the names to watch to replace him could be Michael Olise and Yan Diomande.
As for Salah himself, he’ll likely head to either the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr or Al Ittihad, but a move to MLS giants San Diego FC could also be an option, with no final decision yet.
Sources on Liverpool’s transfer targets to replace Mohamed Salah
Replacing a club legend like this won’t be easy, but names to watch out for have already been widely reported – Michael Olise and Yan Diomande.
“Liverpool are working overtime to get a marquee signing to replace Salah,” one source told me. “They’d love to get Michael Olise, and although at Bayern’s end there’s no indication that they’re even open to listening to offers, Liverpool feel they might be able to tempt the player back to the Premier League.”
| Michael Olise | TOTAL SCORE: 21/25 |
| Transfer fee | ** |
| Performance | ***** |
| Achievements | **** |
| Career phase | ***** |
| Squad need | ***** |
Olise has been on fire for Bayern this season, establishing himself as one of the best attacking players in Europe with 19 goals and 24 assists in all competitions.
Those are the numbers LFC will need from their new winger if they are to adequately replace a world class talent like Salah, but it will likely require paying crazy money, as they did last summer with signings such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. Whether they can do that for a second year in a row without also making significant sales remains to be seen.
More exits to fund Liverpool signings?
It’s early days yet, but one player to keep an eye on could be Cody Gakpo. He was a target for Bayern last summer, and although I’m not aware of any talks yet, there’s the sense that he would be available for the right price, and it could also be logical to try including him in any deal for Olise.
Diomande, meanwhile, has shone at RB Leipzig and I’ve heard Arne Slot is a big fan, even if he’s not yet a big and proven name in the same league as Salah or Olise.
There’s a recognition that it’s not the easiest market for top attacking players right now, so it will be interesting to see how Liverpool navigate that, but work has already begun to ensure that they’re fully prepared for this new era without Salah.
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