Liverpool "transfer mission" for Michael Olise continues with latest development

Liverpool have sent scouts to watch Michael Olise as they consider a move to sign him as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Football Insider reports that the Reds sent their "top scouts" to assess the winger during Crystal Palace's recent 3-1 win over Brentford - a game in which Olise scored.

Their "transfer mission" has been underway for several years with Liverpool gathering data on Olise since he was a 17-year-old at Reading. His £35 million release clause makes a potential transfer very affordable.

This season he has managed five goals and one assist for the Eagles but there is the feeling among his admirers that he is capable of far more than that.

Still only 22, the sky is the limit for the gifted forward.

He has yet to display a prolific side to his game but as Salah has taught Premier League spectators, it's not always fair to cast judgement on young attackers.

England has the most competitive and physical league on the planet so, of course, young wingers are always likely to struggle to match the more experienced stars for end product.

That said, Liverpool need to ensure they replace Salah with a player they are certain can score 20+ goals a season otherwise the Egyptian's departure will hurt even more.

FI reports that while the former Chelsea forward will not be leaving the club this month (obviously) an exit in the summer transfer window is "highly likely."

The Saudi Pro League has ambitions of completing a marquee move to sign the 31-year-old.

Michael Emenalo, the Saudi Pro League's director of football, confessed in October that Salah is his favourite player.

He said: “Mo is welcome at any time, but no one is pressured or forced to come.

“If anyone wants to come here and there is an opportunity to work with the transferring club in a very respectful and professional manner, we would be very happy to have them.

“But Mo is a personal favourite of mine.”

Salah has yet to show any signs of decline and given his competitive nature, it seems to me that he is not yet ready to leave the Premier League and Liverpool behind.

His body is in incredible shape and with 16 goals and 8 assists, he has a legacy that becomes more and more impressive with each passing match.