Liverpool tipped to explore move to sign ‘incredible’ Mohamed Salah replacement
Liverpool have been backed to begin their preparations to replace Mohamed Salah in the near future with a number of potential targets on their radar.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Arne Slot‘s side have to begin planning for the future without Salah.
The current standout name on their list of targets is Bayern Munich star Michael Olise, who has been recognised as one of the hottest young players in Europe.
The former Crystal Palace winger is on the shortlist to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, having already won the Bayern Munich Player of the Season award ahead of Harry Kane.
Olise has been highlighted as the “perfect” Salah replacement, with his continued upward trajectory since joining Palace in 2019 catching the eye of the world’s biggest clubs.
Liverpool plot Michael Olise move after Bayern Munich latest
Bayern Munich are planning to keep Olise despite the interest from Liverpool and are not expected to be keen to lose their star attacker.
However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted Liverpool view him as the ideal replacement to come in for Salah when he decides to move on.
“Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Olise,” he told Football Insider.
“He is one player who could match up to what Salah offers, or as close as anybody could given how incredible Salah has been during his time at Liverpool.
“They’ll have scouts watching him, they’ll want to know chapter and verse about him because he is a standout candidate to fill that role.
“He’s already done it in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, so that’s another box ticked, and now he’s doing it for Bayern Munich and for France, he’s proving he can do it at the highest level.
“Salah’s future will be a tricky one to navigate because obviously they’re not going to replace him right now because he’s still in the team.
“But at the same time, they have to be aware that at 33, time isn’t exactly on his side and at some point they’re going to have to move on.
“There will be players they’ve already looked at as potentially coming in for him, but that entire landscape could change in a year or two.”
Mohamed Salah decision to be made at Liverpool
Liverpool were desperate for Salah to commit to a new contract at the end of last season, when it initially looked like he could leave the club on a free transfer.
The Egypt international eventually committed to a two-year deal alongside Virgil van Dijk, but at 33 years old, finding his successor has become a key task.
This comes as Football Insider revealed that Liverpool will review Salah’s future before his contract expires as they do not want to lose him on a free like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Olise has emerged as the “perfect” Salah replacement thanks to his performances for Bayern Munich, while he has also become crucial for the France national team.
Such is the impact he has had at both levels, his club and international teammate Dayot Upamecano has labelled him “incredible” and “a privilege to play with”. [via Bundesliga News]
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