Jurgen Klopp wants €60m-rated Dortmund star as 'ideal backup' for Mohamed Salah

Jurgen Klopp has his eye on Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen, according to one report.

The 24-year-old Dutch forward has been in fine form for Klopp's former club this season, scoring three times in five Bundesliga outings.

Malen joined Dortmund for around €30m back in 2021, after selling Jadon Sancho to Manchester United. However, the former PSV star also spent two years in Arsenal's academy before moving back to Europe.

According to German publication SportBILD, Klopp has been a fan of Malen since before he moved to Dortmund and sees him as the 'ideal backup' for Mohamed Salah.

It is said that Liverpool would need to stump up €60m (£52m) to make Dortmund 'flinch', with the player under contract until 2026.

The Reds already have quite the Dutch contingent at Anfield. Joining captain Virgil van Dijk, the club recruited Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch earlier this year, with the latter signing in a £34m deal from Bayern Munich on Deadline Day.

Malen has featured as both a striker and right winger in his career to date and scored 27 goals in 45 games in his final season in the Netherlands.

After a slower start to life in Germany, the young forward has begun to impress, registering 14 goal contributions (nine goals, five assists) in the Bundesliga in 2022/23, and starting the new season strongly.

READ MORE: The greatness of Mohamed Salah shows no sign of slowing down

Liverpool's current 'backup' to Salah on the right wing is 17-year-old Ben Doak, who is highly rated at the club and expected to earn minutes to impress in the Europa League and domestic cups this season. However, there remain question marks over the future of Salah, who is coveted by the Saudi Pro League.

Many have speculated that this could be the 31-year-old's final season as a Liverpool player, despite his fine form and importance to the Reds' attack. With his contract due to expire in 2025, it is thought that the Reds' hierarchy may end up accepting a big-money bid for their superstar next summer, rather than offer to extend his contract or risk letting him leave on a free.