Liverpool transfer news: Salah tipped to LEAVE as £42m REPLACEMENT endorsed

Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah is down to the last year of his contract and now a former Liverpool star has not only tipped Salah to leave, but also endorsed a potential replacement.

Salah signed a contract extension with the Reds back in July 2022, a deal that made him the highest paid player in the club’s history, but now that contract’s expiry date is fast approaching.

From January onwards, Liverpool’s star will be able to negotiate a pre-contract with overseas clubs and could leave Merseyside for free at the end of the season.

READ MORE: Liverpool handed update on transfer pursuit of Virgil van Dijk successor

Negotiations are reportedly set to begin soon over a new deal but there could be some major roadblocks in the way and there is a real chance that this could be Salah’s last season at Anfield.

Alongside Salah, both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also have less than a year remaining on their deals and are yet to agree extensions.

Glen Johnson reveals his Salah stance

Speaking to Betfred Insights, former Liverpool man Glen Johnson has given his verdict on the trio’s contract situations.

“I believe Mo will leave and the other two will stay.

“If he’s available on a free at the end of the season, then there’ll be a list of exciting clubs all waiting to sign him.”

As well as tipping Salah to leave, the 40-year-old, who made 200 appearances for Liverpool, spoke about one of Salah’s potential replacements, Eberechi Eze.

“He’s been unstoppable in certain games and as long as he can do that more regularly, then he’d definitely get into Liverpool’s team if that signing was to happen.

“He’s one of those players that can be a nightmare to play against, so it all depends on whether he can do it every week because he doesn’t at the moment. If they can get him firing weekly, then I believe it would be a great signing.”

Eze as Salah’s replacement

Although Eze isn’t natural in Salah’s right-wing position, playing most of his football as a no.10, he could act as a replacement for Salah’s output rather than being a direct positional replacement.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a good campaign with Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season, scoring 11 goals and providing a further four assists, and could be a good addition to Arne Slot’s team.

Liverpool already have Federico Chiesa who could replace Salah on the right flank whilst Eze would compete with Dominik Szoboszlai to spearhead the Reds’ midfield.

Despite plenty of interest in the summer, Eze remains at Crystal Palace this season and is valued at around €50 million (£42 million) according to Football Transfers.

If Salah were to leave in the summer, Liverpool could reignite their interest in Eze and bring him to Merseyside to help maintain the Reds’ firepower without the Egyptian King.