Mohamed Salah is a modern Liverpool great and he will go down as a legend at Anfield long after his playing career is done. However, the 32-year-old forward’s Liverpool future is at a crossroads. He could either choose to sign a new contract and keep climbing up the goalscoring charts for the Reds or leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Merseyside giants want to hold on to Salah and the forward has prioritised staying at Anfield. Shouldn’t this mean a new deal is a mere formality? Nope, it’s a little more complicated than the club and the fans would have liked.
The 32-year-old Egyptian wants to stay at Liverpool and is more than willing to sign a new contract and extend his stay but he has certain conditions. Salah doesn’t feel he is going to slow down any time soon so he wants Liverpool to commit to a three-year contract for him. He believes he has done enough to suggest that he can play at the top level for a few years to come and doesn’t see why he should not get a longer deal.
Liverpool are naturally reluctant to commit to a long and expensive contract for a player who is on the wrong side of the 30s even if his name is Mohamed Salah and has scored 221 times for the club in 366 appearances. The Merseyside giants are wary that the club could get trapped in an expensive deal with a player who could go on a sudden decline.
The stand-off between the two sides has meant the negotiations have stalled and there is a real chance Salah could be on his way out of Anfield next summer on a free transfer.
Liverpool still want to keep him but the club are seeking alternatives and have been tracking several forwards who could come in and replace Salah.
Here are three forwards I feel Liverpool could sign if they need a replacement for the Egpytian magician next summer.
Omar Marmoush
The narrative writes itself, doesn’t it? Marmoush is seen as Salah’s successor in Egypt and some believe that he will go on to become better than the Liverpool icon. The forward has been banging in goals for fun this season at Eintracht Frankfurt and is almost certain to leave the German club in the summer.
Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
Liverpool have been consistently linked with a move for the striker and the club are said to have held conversations with his camp over a move already. Marmoush is also sold on the move and is inclined towards joining Liverpool at the end of the season. Salah is his idol and he dreams of succeeding him at Anfield.
The Reds are definitely interested but Marmoush is not exactly a direct replacement for Salah. However, the club are eyeing him and he is likely to cost somewhere around €60m if they want to take him to Merseyside in the summer transfer window.
Raphinha
The Brazilian is probably one of the hottest wingers on current form and is almost certain to get linked with a move away from Barcelona in the summer. The Catalan giants’ complicated financial situation means they will likely need one big sale next summer to balance their books and Raphina could be the one who could be moved on.
The former Leeds United winger has scored 12 goals and registered ten assists in 17 appearances in all competitions this season. His performances have powered Barcelona to the summit of the Spanish top flight and turned heads across Europe. Liverpool have been linked with an interest in the wide man as a potential Salah replacement and it makes complete sense.
Raphinha is Premier League proven from his time at Leeds and at 27, he has the experience needed to slot into a high-functioning team like Liverpool and make an impact. However, any move for him would burn a hole into Liverpool’s budget as he is likely to cost somewhere in the region of €90m in the summer with Arsenal also interested in him.
Geovany Quenda
Liverpool are known for wanting to add young talent and Geovany Quenda has been linked with a move to Anfield. The 17-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger has been earning rave reviews this season and almost every big club are keeping tabs on his performances. Liverpool have their eyes on him.
Salah has been a guaranteed source of goals, assists and game-changing impact over the years and his experience in the dressing room has been vital. However, a move for Quenda as a replacement for the Egpytian would represent the club investing in a long-term project. The teenager made his first-team debut this season and barely has 18 appearances under his belt. It would be far too much to expect him to replace Salah in the team immediately if he joins in the summer.
However, the teenager is considered one of the best young talents in Portuguese football and many are convinced that he is destined to reach the top. He could well be the long-term successor of Salah and signing him would solve the issue for the next decade or so.
But any deal would have to depend on Sporting Lisbon agreeing to accept a negotiated fee as Liverpool are unlikely to trigger the €100m release clause in his contract.
Liverpool would also have to contend with competition from Manchester United where Ruben Amorim wants to reunite with Quenda at Old Trafford.
