Liverpool transfers: Real Madrid 'heavyweight' wanted as Salah replacement

Mohamed Salah is out of contract at the end of the season and if the Egyptian leaves Liverpool then the club will need to sign a high-quality replacement. 

Salah, 32, sent shockwaves through the football world last week when he declared that this would be his final season at Anfield, emphasising that no contract offer had yet been forthcoming. 

Read more: Salah struggles in new Egypt role

Having signed with Liverpool in 2017, Salah has gone on to become the Reds’ top goalscorer in EVERY season he’s been with the club. 

The two-time African Player of the Year has also claimed top honours in the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and more competitions. 

An emblem of the Jurgen Klopp era, Salah has nonetheless started the new season under Arne Slot in sensational form, helping the Reds to Premier League wins over Ipswich Town, Brentford and Manchester United in the opening weeks of the campaign. 

Rodrygo linked with Liverpool

However, with his future coming under increased scrutiny, high-profile right-wingers have been linked with an arrival on Merseyside next summer. 

One of the most persistent links comes in the form of Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo Goes. 

With Real having signed Endrick and Kylian Mbappe, it could mean Rodrygo ends up being squeezed out of the first-team picture at the Bernabeu. 

With Jude Bellingham being struck down with injury early in the campaign, it means Carlo Ancelotti has been able to kick that potential problem down the road. 

Rodrygo would cost record fee

Rodrygo was reported to be unhappy at the situation developing in the Spanish capital during the summer and the player’s official WhatsApp channel expressed dissatisfaction a couple of weeks ago at suggestions that Real’s new front three would comprise Bellingham, Mbappe and Vini [BMV]. 

The 23-year-old clearly feels he’s still got a part to play at the 15-time European champions and it would no doubt take a monumental fee to prise the winger out of the club as he is under contract until 2028. 

And now TodoFichajes reports that the Reds have their sights set on Rodrygo and that the player, although a ‘heavyweight’ is not considered among Madrid’s ‘untouchables’ like Vini or Federico Valverde. 

Liverpool were previously quoted between €120 million and €140m for Rodrygo and it remains to be seen whether sporting director Richard Hughes will be persuaded to pay a club-record fee for the two-time Champions League winner.