Liverpool finalise two-man shortlist of Mo Salah replacements, with Prem and La Liga wingers eyed
Jarrod Bowen and Bukayo Saka during West Ham vs Arsenal
Liverpool are preparing for the possible departure of talisman Mo Salah in 2024, with reports claiming them to be interested in West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen and a La Liga ace as potential replacements.
Salah was repeatedly linked with a big-money switch to Saudi club Al Ittihad in the summer. Al Ittihad made a huge £150million bid for the right winger on deadline day, but Liverpool held firm and knocked it back.
Before that offer, there had been claims that Salah was pushing to sign for Al Ittihad, as it would give him the chance to earn one last huge contract and also head to the Middle East, which would put him closer to his home country of Egypt.
But Salah’s agent soon shut down that claim, questioning why his client would agree a new deal at Anfield last summer only to leave one year on.
Nevertheless, Al Ittihad remain intent on capturing Salah and are expected to return with another proposal at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. As such, Liverpool must prepare for the 31-year-old to depart.
According to trusted source The Athletic, Bowen is a player Liverpool have liked for some time. While he is not as explosive as Salah, he is similar in that as he is left-footed and likes to cut inside from the right flank.
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Bowen’s finishing seems to be getting better each season, too. This term he has already found the back of the net three times in four Premier League games.
West Ham will not want to sell the Englishman to a Prem rival such as Liverpool. However, Bowen would likely want to join Klopp’s side and take the next step in his career, which means he could push for the transfer to reach completion in 2024.
Nico Williams another target for Liverpool
Bowen is not the only player Liverpool are eyeing as Salah’s successor. According to the Liverpool Echo, who cite reports coming out of Spain, the Reds are also keeping tabs on Athletic Club’s Nico Williams ahead of a potential 2024 move.
Williams is described as an ‘attractive’ profile for Klopp thanks to his incredible pace, which allows him to breeze past defenders with ease. Williams is still working on improving his final action, such as his finishing and crossing, but he has plenty of time to do this as he is only 21 years of age.
Currently, the youngster’s contract expires in June 2024. Although, Athletic are aware of the growing interest in their player and are working hard to tie him down to fresh terms.
This means Liverpool would have to pay a premium fee if they wanted to sign Williams. But if the Merseyside outfit receive over £100m for Salah, then they will have money to burn on either Bowen or Williams.
Meanwhile, Liverpool could add another top midfielder to their ranks in 2024 as a European giant are prepared to sell.
