Liverpool still have a glaring Mohamed Salah question to answer in the upcoming transfer windows – but who could replace the Egyptian if a move is on the cards?
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts at full time during the Premier League match against Brighton(Image: Getty)
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah faces an uncertain future at Anfield following his bombshell interview at Elland Road a little over a week ago.
The Egyptian, who has started the Reds’ last four Premier League matches on the bench, claimed after last weekend’s draw that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot was non-existent, while a January move could not be ruled out. As a result, he did not travel with the squad to face Inter Milan midweek, as the Reds clinched a narrow 1-0 win at the San Siro.
Things have appeared to take a turn for the better in recent days following crunch talks on Friday. Salah was included in the squad that beat Brighton on Saturday afternoon and came on as an early substitute for the injured Joe Gomez, before providing the assist for Hugo Ekitike‘s crucial second goal in the 2-0 win.
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While peace has somewhat prevailed before the 33-year-old heads to Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations, it is not yet clear whether Salah’s long-term future remains on Merseyside. Both Slot and Salah’s teammates have played down speculation of an imminent exit next month, suggesting they do not feel Saturday’s triumph will be the last time Salah represents the club.
That said, until the January window closes, or a move is categorically ruled out, speculation around Salah’s future will understandably persist. The unrest at Anfield has presented clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United States with an opportunity to sound out a move, be it for the upcoming transfer window or the summer.
A recent report from the Daily Mail has claimed the club have no intention of parting ways with Salah in January, but while the player is happy and settled on Merseyside, a move to Saudi Arabia has never been completely ruled out. It is for that reason clubs in the region are confident of signing Salah, provided he is ready to leave Anfield, with a fee in the region of £100 million the anticipated asking price.
As uncertainty remains, Echo Sport have taken a look at some of the big names Richard Hughes and co. could turn to should they need to replace the Reds’ star man, whether in January, the summer or, as many would hope, at the end of his contract in 2027.
Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo has been linked with Liverpool(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Bournemouth talisman Antoine Semenyo is a name expected to be heavily discussed in the coming weeks as the January window approaches. Reports of a £65 million release clause, actionable until January 10, make a departure from the Vitality Stadium likely, with a number of clubs rumoured to be circling.
Even prior to Salah’s outburst last week, Liverpool have been widely tipped as one of the potential destinations for the Ghana international. A recent report from BBC Sport claims Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham are all leading the chase for his signature.
The 25-year-old’s favoured position is on the right wing, although he is capable of playing across the front line, which only adds to his appeal. That said, whether Liverpool can usurp City, who are rumoured to be the favourites at this stage, remains to be seen.
Michael Olise
Michael Olise has been in fine form this season for Bayern Munich(Image: Getty Images)
Former Crystal Palace star Michael Olise has gone from strength to strength since his move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024. So much so, he has continued to attract the attention of Europe’s elite clubs, including Liverpool.
Links with the 24-year-old have been longstanding and have not disappeared, despite little suggestion he will leave Munich any time soon. Olise operates primarily in Salah’s position and has scored 29 goals while registering 37 assists in 78 appearances across all competitions for Bayern, making it little surprise he has been tipped as a long-term successor.
However, a deal would not be straightforward, with reports in Germany suggesting Bayern are prepared to offer Olise a new contract to fend off interest, despite him already being tied down until 2029. The likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked, making Anfield far from a guaranteed destination.
Yan Diomande
Liverpool have been credited with interest in 19-year-old RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande (Image: Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande has catapulted himself into the spotlight of late as a result of his stellar form in the Bundesliga. The 19-year-old only moved to Germany last summer, but he has already scored seven goals and registered four assists across all competitions.
Although traditionally a left winger, he is also capable of playing on the right, with all of his goal contributions for Leipzig so far coming from that flank. A report this week from Sky in Germany claims all of England’s top clubs, including Liverpool, have the Ivory Coast international firmly in their sights.
It has been suggested a move after the World Cup next summer is possible, but Leipzig would likely seek a fee in the region of £87 million for their star player. He remains under contract until 2030 and has no release clause.
Bradley Barcola
Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Bradley Barcola(Image: Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola was tentatively linked with a move to Merseyside last summer, and the 23-year-old remains firmly on the radar. A recent report from CaughtOffside has once again sparked rumours, suggesting the Frenchman is a potential target to replace Salah.
The report notes Barcola’s struggles to establish himself as a regular starter under Luis Enrique, with the likes of Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia competing for places. That said, there have been claims PSG are eager to tie the player down to a new deal, with his current contract set to expire in 2028.
Yankuba Minteh
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 25, 2025(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Finally, Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh has emerged as a potential target for a number of top clubs. The Gambia international signed for the Seagulls from Newcastle in the summer of 2024, with the Magpies needing to offload players in order to remain compliant with Profit and Sustainability rules.
It is a deal Newcastle may now be regretting, as Minteh has scored eight goals and registered nine assists in 54 appearances so far. Four of those assists have come this term in the Premier League, as the 21-year-old looks to take his game to another level.
Minteh is a more tentative link, given he is yet to fully establish himself as an elite player. That said, his age makes him an intriguing long-term investment, with £60–70 million the rumoured figure it would take to prise him away from the Amex.