Mbappe and five stars Liverpool could sign to replace Salah

Updated: 5 Sept 2023 15:43 BST
5 min read

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is not giving up its pursuit of Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

With just a few days remaining in the Saudi Pro League transfer window, PIF-owned Al-Ittihad will try to test Liverpool's resolve with another astronomical bid which could clock in well in excess of €200 million.

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Though the Reds have already made it clear that they have no intention to sell, Jurgen Klopp has previously admitted that Liverpool don't have endless resources like some other clubs and the prospect of banking this much for a 31-year-old could be tempting - though likely not tempting enough to sell Salah while being unable to sign a replacement.

Therefore, a January transfer or one next summer is much more likely and reports indeed suggest that the Saudis will try again next year should they fail to land Salah before the September 7 deadline. Here are Liverpool's five potential replacements for their club legend.

READ: Liverpool plan to replace Salah with Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe

It may seem hard to believe but Liverpool will have a solid chance of signing Kylian Mbappe next year, according to L'Equipe.

The Reds already wanted the Frenchman way back when he was a youngster at Monaco and their interest has not dissipated. Signing Mbappe would force Jurgen Klopp to rejig his attack as he is not a right-winger, but we're sure the German wouldn't mind having to accommodate the Frenchman.

The €200m (or more) from the Salah sale could fund a move for Mbappe, but unless he signs a PSG extension, they may not even need that money!

Bukayo Saka

Paul Merson recently suggested that Liverpool should bite the Saudis' hand off with regards to their Salah bid and use the money to fund a January move for 'the next big thing on the right-wing,' which the former Arsenal man believes to be Gunners star Bukayo Saka.

Saka would fit right into Jurgen Klopp's system but would Arsenal be willing to let their star man - who has only just signed a new deal - leave to a direct rival regardless of how much money they put on the table?

Leroy Sane

Using data site SciSports to look for alternatives, there is one name that inevitably: Leroy Sane. The German is one of the most well-known left-footed wingers out there and he also may be relatively attainable.

Sane showed that he can perform in the Premier League with Man City, Bayern paid just €49 million to get him and his contract only runs until 2025. Only his age could be a problem, which is a crazy thing to say about a 27-year-old.

Liverpool have almost exclusively targeted younger players in recent times, so they may be reluctant to make Sane - who has also at times struggled with inconsistency - Salah's long-term heir, but the move makes sense on paper.

Moussa Diaby

Former Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby has only just joined Aston Villa, but he has already begun justifying his hefty price tag. The Frenchman can be a goalscoring machine when on form, so he could be a savvy replacement for Salah.

At 24, he also fits Liverpool's age profile. Intra-Premier League transfers always cost a pretty penny, but Liverpool won't have to worry about that if they get €200m for Salah.

Bryan Mbeumo

Brentford have hardly missed sharpshooter Ivan Toney and much of it has been down to Bryan Mbeumo, who has been scoring for fun lately.

The Frenchman is similar to Diaby in that he fits Liverpool's age profile and also may not come cheap, but could be worth the money. His performances have seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) skyrocket in recent times, currently sitting at €54.9m.