'Salah is going' - Reds urged to replace top scorer with £113m superstar

As Liverpool look forward to life after Jurgen Klopp, uncertainty continues to reign not only over the identity of the new manager, but also over the long-term futures of several star players.

Incoming director of football Richard Hughes is believed to be keen on retaining key talents like Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk as they enter the final year of their contracts.

However, speculation over the Egyptian forward, a pivotal figure in Liverpool's recent success, persists, especially amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.

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Last summer, despite a staggering £150 million bid on the table, Salah ultimately stayed. But with Klopp's impending departure, Saudi interest could yet resurface.

Osimhen is a 'fantastic' player

Former Liverpool right-back Steve Nicol believes that it will and when asked who should replace the star forward, he showed no hesitation in proposing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, currently plying his trade at Napoli.

"Any player? The fact that Salah is going to be gone whether it's this year or next year, Osimhen. I think Osimhen would be fantastic for Liverpool." he said, speaking on ESPN FC.

While it wouldn't be a like-for-like replacement, Osimhen, six years Salah's junior, would bring a similar goalscoring pedigree to the team.

In a season punctuated by a hamstring injury and his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen has played 27 matches for the Naples club and has been directly involved in 18 goals, scoring 14 times and providing four assists.

A different role for Nunez?

As Osimhen is primarily a centre-forward, Nicol's vision extends beyond merely filling Salah's boots.

The 62-year-old also addressed the consequences Osimhen's arrival would have for Darwin Nunez. "It means Nunez would have to start out wide," he said.

This shift to the left wing, a position the Uruguayan excelled in during his time at Benfica, could bring the best out of him, according to Nicol, while also improving the Reds' chance conversion - something that has plagued the side in recent weeks.

How much will Osimhen cost?

However, securing Osimhen's services won't come cheap for Liverpool.

Given the potential departure of Kylian Mbappe looming over Paris Saint-Germain, reports suggest the French giants are poised to swoop for Osimhen, as well as Liverpool's Luis Diaz, rendering any potential pursuit from the Reds highly complicated.

Even if Liverpool were to meet Napoli's asking price, believed to be in the region of £113 million, time may be running out.