Here are five players Liverpool could sign should Mohamed Salah seal a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.
On transfer deadline day Liverpool rejected a £150million offer for Salah from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.
The bid for the 31-year-old was an initial fee in excess of £100million, with add-ons taking the deal up to £150million.
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While the Reds remain insistent the Egypt international is not for sale, the Mail Online claimed Al Ittihad are prepared to go up to £200million in their bid to prise Salah from Liverpool.
While Liverpool do not want to sell Salah, who signed a new three-year contract last summer, such an offer could convince the Reds hierarchy to sanction a move.
While the Merseyside club would likely have to wait until January, or next summer, to purchase a replacement for the Egyptian, here are five players the Reds could target should Salah depart.
The ideal alternative would be France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
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Mbappe pushed to leave PSG earlier this summer but ultimately opted to stay in the French capital. However, with just one year remaining on the 24-year-old’s contract, he could be an option next summer for the Reds.
Liverpool have expressed an interest in Mbappe in the past while his mother and agent, Fayza Lamari, is a fan of the Reds. However, it is widely thought that Mbappe has agreed to move to Real Madrid next summer.
Another option would be Marcus Edwards. The 24-year-old Tottenham academy graduate has impressed while out in Portugal, having claimed 12 goals and 14 assists in 51 appearances last term.
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French publication Foot Mercato claim he has a €60million (£51million) release clause.
PSV’s Johan Bakayoko, who turned down a move to Brentford on Deadline Day, could also be an option.
Bakayoko, who came through the youth system at Philips Stadio, claimed nine goals and six assists in all competitions last season and could be a long-term alternative to Salah. Though, of course, they would be big shoes to fill for a 20-year-old.
A fourth Salah alternative for Liverpool is Raphinha. The Brazilian, once of Leeds, scored 17 goals and registered 12 assists in the Premier League before gracing the blades of grass at the Nou Camp.
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However, his time in Spain has been less successful. The player, often linked with Arsenal, may relish an opportunity to return to the Premier League.
Jarrod Bowen is another option. The West Ham star has been a prolific scorer for the east Londoners, most recently netting in Friday night’s 2-0 victory over Luton.
The West Ham star’s current deal only runs until June 2025, so Liverpool could sign the England international for a cut-price fee in January or next summer.
Topics: Football, Liverpool, Mohamed Salah, Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, Raphinha, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League