Liverpool are sure to be in the market for a new winger in the summer once Mohamed Salah departs the club
After Liverpool announced that Mohamed Salah will leave the club at the end of the season, the club will now go about the unenviable task of trying to replace the legendary Egyptian.
Salah’s nine years at Anfield saw him capture Kop hearts, becoming the Reds’ third all-time leading scorer. At 33 years old, the winger’s 2025/26 season has admittedly not met the standards of those that have gone before, including an imperious Player of the Year-winning campaign last year which saw him drive Arne Slot’s side to a 20th league title.
But having hit 255 goals in 435 appearances for the club to date, while missing just 11 matches through injury or illness in that time (as per transfermarkt.com ), how do Liverpool replace him?
Our own Paul Gorst has provided an update on how the club see the challenge in replacing Salah this summer, and when it comes to new arrivals here are six names that could be under consideration.
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Michael Olise
There have been several reports in recent weeks linking Bayern Munich’s star winger with a move to Merseyside.
With 16 goals and 27 assists in all competitions to his name already this season, it’s no wonder why Olise is attracting interest from a whole host of European giants.
Like Salah, the France international possesses a deadly ability to conjure up magic when cutting inside from the right onto his left foot. Having been developed in England, with several years of top flight experience at Crystal Palace, the 24-year-old would be a perfect fit for that Salah-shaped hole in the Liverpool team.
However, recent words from Bayern president Uli Hoeness suggest the winger won’t be going anywhere. Speaking at the KI Festival “data:unplugged” in Münster, he said: “Liverpool have already spent €500 million this year and are having a very poor season. We won’t contribute to them playing better next year.”
This comes after Bayern CEO Max Eberl said the club were ‘relaxed’ about the player’s future. With reported potential transfer fees ranging between £140m and £180m, any deal for Olise would be very pricey and ultimately unlikely for FSG.
Yan Diomande
Another Bundesliga star, RB Leipzig’s Diomande has enjoyed quite the breakout season in the German top flight, scoring 10 goals and setting up seven in 26 matches.
The Ivorian is just 19 years old and can play on either wing. With blistering pace and a direct style of play, Diomande is similar to Salah stylistically, but having had not even two seasons of top flight experience, the Reds would certainly be buying for the future.
They aren’t the player’s only suitor, with Manchester United also linked. But Liverpool’s relations with Leipzig – the club where both Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konate came from – may give the Anfield club the advantage.
Jurgen Klopp is also the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, Leipzig’s majority owners. It is thought a deal for Diomande would cost in the region of £87m – a far more attainable acquisition than Olise.
Bradley Barcola
Someone who would likely demand a similar fee to that of Diomande, if not more, PSG’s Barcola could be an excellent bit of business for Liverpool.
With the European champions boasting a wealth of attacking depth – options among Luis Enrique’s arsenal include Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Ousmane Dembele – they may be willing to let someone go.
Barcola, 23, may be that man, having started 15 of his team’s 26 Ligue 1 matches this term. Still, the 18-time France international has hit double digits for league goals (10), while scoring twice in PSG’s Champions League round of 16 win over Chelsea earlier this month.
Able to play all across the front three, with plenty of room to grow, Barcola would be a great pickup for Slot’s side.
Anthony Gordon
A rumour that likes to pop up every now and then, Anthony Gordon may also be on the Reds’ list of possible heirs to Salah’s throne this summer. One qualm that they may have with the Newcastle star, however, is that he prefers to play on the left or up front.
Gordon, a boyhood Liverpool fan, also signed a new deal at St James’ Park not even 18 months ago. But if the Magpies miss out on European football, a deal for the former Everton man may be easier to complete.
Only Kylian Mbappe has scored more Champions League goals this term than the England international, who would likely cost a fee in the region of £75m.
Yankuba Minteh
A name that is perhaps less established than others in this list, Brighton’s Minteh represents a very intriguing option for Liverpool.
The Gambia international is of a similar profile to Salah: an explosive left-footed right winger. He also played under Arne Slot in his year at Feyenoord in the 2023/24 season, a year where he scored 11 times and claimed five assists in 37 appearances.
While his goal return this year (two) isn’t exactly awe-inspiring, Minteh is just 21 and has bags of potential, as the Merseyside outfit saw for themselves in their trip to the Amex Stadium before the international break.
Brighton have quite the reputation for being a great selling club, but Minteh would be a far more affordable option for FSG. Given their financial outlay last summer and their likely pursuits of players in other positions, cost will likely be even more of a key consideration this year for Liverpool.
Francisco Conceicao
The latest player rumoured to be in this conversation is the Juventus wide man, who joined the Old Lady permanently from Porto just last summer. At 23 years old, Conceicao is another player whose potential is a major appeal for the Reds.
The Portuguese stands as perhaps the cheapest option on the list, with reports suggesting he would demand a reasonable £52m fee, following a campaign where he has produced just three goals and three assists in 23 Serie A appearances thus far.
Speaking to the press while on international duty with Portugal, Conceicao was asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Anfield, but said he was ‘happy’ in Turin.
