Liverpool could be faced with a difficult decision in the summer if a huge offer arrives for Mohamed Salah.
Salah’s future has been brought into sharp focus this week following a touchline bust up with Jurgen Klopp during Liverpool’s draw against West Ham.
The German will leave the club at the end of the season and is set to be replaced by Feyenoord manager Arne Slot who will deal with Salah’s current situation alongside Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
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The 31-year-old will have just one year remaining on his current deal in the summer and was subject of a £100m bid from Al Ittihad last summer.
Liverpool anticipate Salah staying for at least one more season, according to The Athletic, with the player giving no indication he wants to leave. However, another huge offer could tempt Liverpool into a sale given Fenway Sports Group’s sell-to-buy policy at the club meaning Salah’s future remains uncertain.
We pick out five potential replacements for the Egyptian that Slot could look to sign in the upcoming transfer window.
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Crysencio Summerville - Leeds
Liverpool have a track-record of signing players who have excelled in the Championship after Andy Robertson proved to be one of the greatest buys of the Klopp era. While Fabio Carvalho has failed to reach the same heights, the Merseyside club are believed to be interested in Leeds star Crysencio Summerville. The Dutch forward has spearheaded their promotion bid with 19 goals and nine assists in 42 league appearances this season. If Leeds fail to return to the Premier League, it could make a potential move likelier but it has been reported there is no release clause in his current deal. Furthermore, Slot is believed to have tried to sign Summerville for Feyenoord which indicates he’s a big fan of the winger.
Johan Bakayoko - PSV Eindhoven
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A player Slot will be extremely familiar with is PSV star Johan Bakayoko. Again, at 20-years-old, he is the ideal age profile that Edwards will look for in new recruits for Liverpool. The youngster rejected a switch to Brentford in the summer window but continues to be linked with a host of Premier League clubs. Bakayoko has gone from strength-to-strength after replacing Noni Madueke, scoring 12 goals and registering 14 assists in all competitions this season.
PSV’s sporting director, Ernie Stewart, has already declared he expects the Belgium international to leave at the end of the season.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Napoli
If Liverpool do receive a huge sum for Salah, it would be well spent on Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who could also command a massive transfer fee. The Georgian winger was instrumental in Napoli’s title win last season and has been nicknamed ‘Kvaradona’ after winning the hearts of their supporters. After a slow start to the current campaign, the 23-year-old has returned to his best form, winning the man of the match award in five of his last nine showings.
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Napoli would not allow their prized asset to leave on the cheap and Liverpool would be forced to fight off competition from around Europe to sign him.
Jarrod Bowen - West Ham
Another player who would not come cheap is West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, who is currently enjoying the finest season of his career. Klopp is known to be a huge admirer of the England international who netted his 16th goal of the season against Liverpool on Saturday. Bowen is a similar profile to Salah, a player capable of cutting in from the right onto his left foot and his Premier League experience would be an attractive proposition for Slot. However, at 27-years-old, he might have surpassed the age bracket for a Liverpool signing given West Ham would be under no pressure to sell him for cheap. After the Hammers sold Declan Rice to Arsenal for £100m last summer, they are well positioned to ask for a similar price for their key forward.
Leroy Sane - Bayern Munich
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Similar to Bowen, Leroy Sane might not fit the age profile that Liverpool desire but would still be an astute replacement for Salah. The 28-year-old has been constantly linked with a return to the Premier League during Klopp’s tenure and is believed to be on the club’s shortlist ahead of the summer. Sane could prove to be an attractive option for Edwards given, like Salah, his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025. Bayern will want to tie down their forward to a new deal or sell him to avoid losing him for nothing.
The Germany international has scored eight goals in the Bundesliga this season and is well known in the Premier League thanks to his time at Manchester City.
Featured Image Credit: Getty ImagesTopics: Liverpool, Mohamed Salah, Transfer News, Premier League, Football