Liverpool will have to turn their attention elsewhere after PSG reportedly shut down interest in Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue.
With the future of Mo Salah up in the air as of right now, the decision on who will be his long-term replacement at Anfield takes centre stage.
Yan Diomande has been strongly linked to Liverpool, while Michael Olise has been ruled out.
Discuss: Diomande has already proven he’s the BEST replacement for Mo Salah!
Diomande, Doue, Williams and Barcola have been named as potential options…
Yan Diomande gestures to teammates during RB Leipzig's Bundesliga match with VfL Wolfsburg at the Red Bull Arena. Bradley Barcola looks down during PSG's FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Real Madrid in New Jersey. Nico Williams pictured in action for Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League semi-final clash versus Manchester United. Desire Doue during Paris Saint-Germain v Lille OSC - Ligue 1 McDonald's.
Credit: Boris Streubel/Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/David Ramos/Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Two French stars, Doue and Barcola, were being considered, but TEAMtalk now report that neither of the superstar wingers will be available, seen as part of the European champions’ long-term plans.
So what new names could Liverpool consider?
The Premier League Salah replacement – Yankuba Minteh
Yankuba Minteh is a strong candidate if Liverpool want someone already used to the English game. Since joining Brighton, he has shown the kind of speed and directness that Mohamed Salah brought in his early years.
Milos Kerkez and Yankuba Minteh battle for the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Brighton at Anfield.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
He likes to run at defenders and takes a high volume of shots from wide areas. At 21, he is still developing, but his ability to create chances in transition makes him a good fit for Arne Slot’s tactics.
Minteh is a ready-made option who would not need time to adapt to the pace of the Premier League.
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The Championship Salah replacement – Mohamed Kudus
Ok, I’m mostly joking, though the prospect of Spurs being relegated is becoming uncomfortably — and hilariously — realistic.
Before his injury, Kudus was their best player by far. He might only be at the club a short while, but even if Spurs can avoid the drop, is that the kind of team you want to be in when entering your prime years?
West Ham United FC v Newcastle United FC - Premier League
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
He has excellent ball control, a low centre of gravity, and the physical strength to hold off defenders. Unlike many wingers who stay on the touchline, Kudus naturally moves into the box to score.
He is a proven goalscorer who could step into the right-wing role and maintain Liverpool’s attacking threat immediately without a drop in quality.
The budget Salah replacement – Jens Petter Hauge
We have often discussed the possibility of not going for another world-class wide player when the Egyptian leaves. With two elite strikers, a world-class 10 in Florian Wirtz and dangerous wing-backs, it might be that Salah’s exit marks a change in system at Liverpool.
In that case, they may not see a winger as being worth the £60-£100 million that seems to be the accepted rate.
For a more affordable option, Jens Petter Hauge is a sensible pick. After some mixed spells in Germany and Italy, he has found his form again at Champions League fairytale side Bodo/Glimt. The Norwegian has a ridiculous ten goal involvements in 12 European outings, spurring his side on to the knockouts.
Liverpool have a last minute penalty to win this year’s Champions League final… who’s your taker?
This is a tough one!
Mohamed Salah stands with his hands on his hips during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Qarabag at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield).
Dominik Szoboszlai raises an arm to the Anfield crowd in celebration as he holds the matchball during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield/Liverpool FC
Valued at under £10 million, he is an interesting one. If you just looked at his performances this season, you would think Hauge is of the very highest level. He has been seen as that by AC Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt.
It’s a bit out of pocket, but worth thinking about if Slot just wants to bolster the squad rather than directly replace the Liverpool legend.
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