Liverpool target Chelsea flop as Mo Salah's potential SUCCESSOR

Despite a bright start to life under Arne Slot, a dark cloud remains lingering over Anfield with three key players in the last nine months of their current deals.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk could all leave on a free transfer next summer if their ongoing contract sagas aren't resolved.

The trio can talk to foreign clubs in January ahead of potential free transfers, mounting up the pressure on Chief Executive Michael Edwards and Sporting Director Richard Hughes to find solutions.

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Out of the three, it's been Salah who has been linked with a move away from Anfield in recent seasons.

The Egyptian has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia with former Premier League striker Gabriel Agbonlahor believing a move to the Middle-East beckons for Salah, where he will sign an illustrious deal seeing him become the face of the Saudi Pro League.

"I think he’ll end up getting more than [Cristiano] Ronaldo is getting paid over there, he'll be the face [of the league]," Agbonlahor said on TalkSPORT.

"I’m hearing it'll be free transfer and how annoying would that be for Liverpool to lose Salah at 31 on a free transfer."

"I can't say [who told me] but I just think he would have signed a new contract by now and it's enough money that he can't turn down over there," he added.

The move would see Salah reunite with former strike partners Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino who both now play their football in the Saudi Pro League.

Who could replace Salah?

With uncertainty revolving around the future of Salah, plenty of talk has commenced on who is the most suitable successor to take over from the Liverpool talisman.

Despite recently striking a deal for Federico Chiesa, Liverpool would likely delve into the market once more if Salah does depart Anfield next summer.

According to GOAL, Liverpool have taken note of Christian Pulisic's bright start to the season, which has seen the American grab three goals and two assists in the opening five Serie A games.

The report adds that Liverpool are unlikely to make any decision on signing Pulisic or any Salah replacement until the Egyptian's future is resolved, with the Reds still desperate to tie their talisman down to a new contract despite him suggesting this could be his final season at Anfield.

The Reds have already had a taste of Pulisic's quality this season with the USMNT star netting an early opener in their Champions League encounter last week, which Liverpool ultimatley came away 3-1 winners.

Italian outlet Calciomercato have claimed that Liverpool would need to double the €20 million (£16.6m/$22.3m) Milan paid for Pulisic in July 2023.