Today's Liverpool latest sees two players linked with a move to Anfield as the Reds prepare for a big summer of transfer activity
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool look dejected after the team's defeat in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield on April 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Liverpool stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk could be at the centre of a big summer for the club(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
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Liverpool face Chelsea on Saturday, with the club requiring victory to move closer to securing Champions League football. While speculation has surrounded the future of Arne Slot following a disappointing campaign by the club's usual standards, it seems the Dutch manager retains the confidence of Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group, to steer the club through the summer and into next season.
Such a commitment brings with it extensive transfer planning. Should Liverpool secure a top-five placing this term, their transfer budget will receive a considerable boost.
The summer ahead promises to be far from straightforward. Finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who will depart the club after nine years, is likely to sit at the very top of the agenda.
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Today's developments see one player touted as the potential successor to the legendary Egyptian at Anfield, while club skipper Virgil van Dijk could be enlisted to help Liverpool secure another target.
Mo Salah replacement suggested
Ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen reckons West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, 29, could be the man to fill Salah's boots this summer. Speaking on talkSPORT, Owen was asked whether he would welcome Bowen to Liverpool, who has netted 85 goals for the Hammers, should West Ham suffer relegation this season.
He said: "How do you know? I have said that to a couple of my mates the other day. I said, if I had one player. Now, obviously, Jarrod Bowen's a legend of a player, West Ham adore the man, and rightly so. But, if West Ham went down, he would fit for me.
"I think he's absolutely brilliant. I was lucky enough to do a striking master class for a TV show we did last season with him, and I couldn't believe it. Honestly, left foot, right foot, bang, bang, corners, pace. I mean, a real top finisher.
West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen in between Liverpool's Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on November 30, 2025 in London, England
West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen has been talked up by two Liverpool legends(Image: Getty)
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"I think he's a brilliant player. I would be taking him to the World Cup, and, as I say, you know, I don't want to upset West Ham fans, but if they went down, then he would be my idea of somebody to replace Salah."
Bowen arrived at West Ham in January 2020 and remains tied to the London Stadium until the summer of 2030. Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has similarly backed Owen's assessment.
Speaking to Boyle Sports, Aldridge said: "I've looked at Jarrod Bowen for some years now, and I really like the way he plays football, and what he offers West Ham. He would fit the bill whenever Mo was ready to go, and even now, you still get a couple of good years at least out of him."
Van Dijk could help Liverpool land target
Liverpool may be able to utilise Van Dijk to assist them in securing long-term transfer target Denzel Dumfries. The Reds were understood to hold interest in the Dutch wing-back during the January transfer window, though a deal never came to fruition.
According to The Telegraph, Liverpool have been informed of a release clause within Dumfries's contract at Inter Milan. The Dutch international is reportedly a close friend of Van Dijk, which means the Reds could call upon their influential skipper to help persuade Dumfries to make the move to Anfield.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 27: Denzel Dumfries and Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands look on during the International Friendly match between Netherlands and Norway at Johan Cruijff Arena on March 27, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Denzel Dumfries and Virgil van Dijk are team-mates for the Dutch national team(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Dumfries could fill the role on Liverpool's right flank, a position that has been plagued by injury problems this season, with both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong struggling to maintain fitness. He could equally operate further forward in a more attacking capacity to cover for Salah's absence.
The versatile 30-year-old has not been without his own fitness concerns this campaign, however, having picked up an ankle injury in November and only returning to action in February. Inter are nonetheless believed to be on the lookout for replacements, potentially opening the door for the Dutch international's departure.
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