Liverpool plot to replace transfer flop with Marcos Leonardo in Mo Salah swap deal

Robin Bairner

2 Apr 2026 07:29 BST
4 min read

Arne Slot, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool — © IMAGO

Liverpool are getting ready to complete two of their major transfer objectives with one deal in the summer that will see Mohamed Salah depart the club and Marcos Leonardo arrive.

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The Reds spent big in the transfer market 12 months ago but have yet to see a significant return on that investment, putting the future of manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes in doubt.

But there are also question marks hanging over the future of Alexander Isak after his disappointing campaign at Anfield, which has been ravaged by injury.

Compared

Marcos Leonardo

F (C)

Al-Hilal

Marcos Leonardo

F (C)

Al-Hilal

VS

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Liverpool

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Liverpool

€17.6M	ETV	€124.1M
€15.8M - €19.3M	ETV Range	€93.1M - €155.1M
22 years old (02 May, 2003)	Age	26 years old (21 Sep, 1999)
Brazil	Nationality	Sweden

The Sweden striker faces the prospect of fresh competition in the summer as the Reds plan to offload Salah to Al-Hilal in a deal that could see Marcos Leonardo travel in the opposite direction.

Salah has been granted the freedom to leave Liverpool in the summer and is likely – but not certain – to move to the Saudi Pro League, and that deal could be sweetened with promising Brazilian striker Leonardo making the return trip.

Marcos Leonardo: A mix of Gabriel Jesus and Haaland

Marcos Leonardo, 22, has been a much-hyped figure since making the breakthrough at Santos and then completing a successful six-month stint at Benfica.

Before his move to Portugal, he was particularly close to Arsenal, as FootballTransfers reported.

Dubbed a mix of Gabriel Jesus and Erling Haaland, the Gunners’ interest continued but it was claimed that Benfica wanted as much as €100 million to part with the striker at that point.

Instead, he moved to Al-Hilal in a €40m deal in the summer of 2024.

In the Saudi Pro League, he has kept former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez out of his favoured No.9 spot. Instead, the Uruguay international has had to make do with a spot out on the wing. Marcos Leonardo’s return of 15 goals in 29 matches this season has had much to do with that.

He also contributed heavily to his side’s efforts at the Club World Cup last summer, scoring four times in five games, including a brace against Manchester City.

Liverpool seek Isak alternative

With Isak having struggled to hit the ground running at Anfield, Liverpool are looking for a different type of profile in the No.9 area.

“Liverpool wants to rejuvenate the rotation in its attacking line and revitalise the Brazilian tradition,” a report in Sports Boom reads.

“Leonardo’s ability to function both as a central striker and a "false nine" is an invaluable trait for Liverpool’s fluid frontline.

“Liverpool’s biggest trump card in this transfer is the ‘Champions League and trophy-guaranteed’ project they can offer the player.

“Additionally, the club’s historical ties with Brazilian players may lead Leonardo to favour a move to Anfield.”

Marcos Leonardo to Liverpool verdict: Why the transfer is a non-starter

Despite Marcos Leonardo’s glowing reputation, it’s unlike that he’s done enough to seriously attract interest from Liverpool.

Indeed, he is not even eligible for a UK work permit as things stand.

While his goal return appears strong, he is only ranked 15th in the Pro League top scorers chart behind the likes of Ivan Toney, Mateo Retegui, Josh King, Gini Wijnaldum, Alexandre Lacazette and even former Rangers winger Fashion Sakala.

Data analytics firm SciSports also raises serious questions over his physical condition, with his stamina rated as ‘low’ and his speed ‘relatively slow’.

With Liverpool likely needing to increase or match the €40m that Al-Hilal paid for him, this deal appears a non-starter, regardless of Salah’s future.

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