MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 14: Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between … [+] Atletico Madrid v Granada at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on August 14, 2023 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesSaudi Pro League clubs have signed so many star players this summer it was always likely one would attempt to make one final statement of intent before the transfer window closes. Indeed, it appears Mohamed Salah has emerged as a target for Al-Ittihad with Liverpool reportedly braced for a €150m offer for the Egyptian.
While Salah has been Liverpool’s main man since joining the Anfield club since 2017, he is now 31 and so the Reds might be tempted to cash in. Jurgen Klopp insists the Egyptian won’t be sold, but one wonders if the German coach will ultimately be overruled by the decision makers above his pay grade.
That then begs the question – who could Liverpool replace Salah with? The summer transfer window closes on Friday and so the Reds would have the opportunity to enter the market to reinvest some of the money being tabled for their Egyptian attacker. The final few days of the window might be hectic at Anfield.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Premier League match … [+] between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St. James Park on August 27, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesJoao Felix has been tentatively mentioned as a potential Salah successor with the Portuguese international currently out of the picture at Atletico Madrid. Felix’s talent has never been in doubt, but he has struggled to nail down a position for Atleti and Chelsea in recent times. Klopp might have a better idea of how to get the best out of the 23-year-old.
Leroy Sane is another name that has been put forward as a potential Liverpool signing. The German is proven in the PremierPINC League having spent three seasons at Manchester City and would certainly strengthen Klopp’s attacking ranks. However, Sane is growing in importance at Bayern Munich.
Raphinha would fit the bill in many ways. The Brazilian joined Barcelona from Leeds United only last year, but has struggled to truly impressive in Catalonia. Barca would reportedly sell Raphinha for the right price and his combination of skill and direct running could give Liverpool a different dimension on the final third.
TURIN, ITALY – AUGUST 27: Federico Chiesa of Juventus in action during the Serie A TIM match between … [+] Juventus and Bologna FC at on August 27, 2023 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesFederico Chiesa and Michael Olise could be two more targets, although the latter would be difficult to land after he recently signed a new contract at Crystal Palace. Liverpool, however, are an attractive proposition and would surely be able to sign a high-quality attacker if armed with €150m from the sale of Salah.
Klopp could also look within his current squad to replace Salah. Liverpool have Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo to choose between for just three positions in the attack with Scottish teenager Ben Doak making a breakthrough this season. Whatever the approach is, Liverpool might have to action their Salah succession plan earlier than they had previously envisaged.