Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool forward, has been linked with a move away from the club this summer. This might lead to the Reds starting to plan for his departure, whenever that may be.
The 31-year-old joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017 for about $45 million (£36 million/€42 million) and has since gone on to become one of the finest players in the Premier League, after an unfortunate start with Chelsea.
After signing a new three-year contract last summer, it appeared that the Egyptian international would be staying in Merseyside until at least 2025.
Salah, on the other hand, is the latest star in world football to be linked with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Itihhad cited with ‘solid interest’ in the player as the transfer season closes (The Athletic).
Jürgen Klopp addressed the idea of Salah leaving Liverpool before the deadline on September 1 in a press conference ahead of Sunday’s match against Newcastle United. “There is nothing to talk about, he is a Liverpool player,” he remarked.
“He is and will continue to be vital. There is nothing to be found. “My life philosophy is that when I have a problem, I think about it.”
Salah may not leave in the near future, but Liverpool may have to prepare for life without him in the following seasons, as he enters the final year of his current contract next season. This could be the last opportunity to cash in on the player, who will be 32 at the time of the decision.
Liverpool.com has looked at five potential replacements for Salah should he decide to leave the club.
Leroy Sané
The former Manchester City winger demonstrated his ability to light up the Premier League before parting ways with Pep Guardiola in search of more regular game time at Bayern Munich.
With only two years left on his current term at the Bundesliga club, the 27-year-old is in a similar contract predicament to Salah. It’s a situation on which Liverpool could capitalize next summer.
According to Calciomercato, the German winger is on the list of possible replacements for Salah, with his left-footed style and penchant to cut in off the right side striking an uncanny resemblance to Salah’s style of play.
Federico Chiesa
In the following transfer windows, Liverpool may look at Juventus and Italy winger Federico Chiesa as a prospective replacement for Salah. According to the same story, he and Sané are on a two-man list of probable heirs to the Egyptian King.
Meanwhile, TuttoSport claims that a $64 million (£51 million/€60 million) bid could be enough for Juventus to part ways with the star. The Italian newspaper also claims Klopp could make a move for the midfielder next year, as he enters the final year of his contract with La Vecchia Signora.
Michael Olise
Looking beyond the current ‘list,’ Liverpool has several more alternatives. Olise has decided to stay at Selhurst Park and sign a new four-year contract with Crystal Palace after being extensively linked with a $44 million (£35 million/€41 million) move to Chelsea.
Despite the new contract, the 21-year-old will almost certainly only improve in the Premier League and might be the perfect heir to Salah’s throne on the right of Liverpool’s front three.
His set-piece skill, finishing ability, and flair are all qualities that Liverpool would strive for in a player, but he would certainly face heavy competition from other Premier League competitors.
Raphinha
The former Leeds United midfielder joined Barcelona in 2022, after being linked with Liverpool prior to his decision to join the La Liga giants.
The Reds may now attempt to rekindle their interest in the 26-year-old winger, with Barcelona always looking for extra finances in light of its current financial difficulties.
According to the Spanish newspaper Nacional, Liverpool explored a $54 million (£42 million/€49 million) approach this summer, but Barcelona wanted $86 million (£68 million/€79 million) to consider selling the Brazilian.
The winger is under contract with Barcelona until 2027, but if Liverpool receives a substantial transfer fee for Salah, it might use the money to sign Raphinha, who would provide Premier League experience as well as quality.