Mohamed Salah will need to be replaced this summer, and Arne Slot will be given "one to two" new wingers in the summer transfer window to help boost Liverpool next season
22:18, 11 May 2026
Arne Slot will be given "one to two" wingers in the summer transfer window
Arne Slot will be given "one to two" wingers in the summer transfer window(Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot will be given "one or two" wingers during the upcoming summer transfer window, as the Liverpool head coach prepares to rebuild the wide areas with Mohamed Salah set to depart.
Salah will leave Liverpool one year before his contract expires in 2027, after the club and the player reached a mutual agreement. Salah will forfeit $28 million in contractual salary, but Liverpool will also miss out on a transfer fee, with the player allowed to walk away for nothing.
Slot is under extreme pressure to turn performances around next season, after an underwhelming Premier League title defense. Liverpool has stood by Slot amid fan backlash and refused to entertain a deal for Xabi Alonso, and will once again spend big this summer.
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That's according to David Ornstein, who provided several groundbreaking updates surrounding Liverpool before Tottenham hosted Leeds United on Monday. Speaking on NBC Sports, he said, "Liverpool will want to recruit for Arne Slot this summer, in particular in the winger position.
"I would expect one or two to come in. They think that will be crucial, and once they have come in, that’s when you can perhaps judge Arne Slot more fairly. Liverpool will look to do more work in the transfer market."
Liverpool completed a summer overhaul last year, spending $600 million and recouping $350 million from player sales. Luis Diaz was sold to Bayern Munich, and Darwin Nunez left for Al-Hilal, while Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz were all signed.
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With Salah leaving at the end of the season, the front line looks almost unrecognizable from recent years, and a replacement must be signed. Liverpool has been linked with several star wingers, including Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.
RB Leipzig prospect Yan Diomande has also been speculated, though neither player will be cheap. Leipzig could reportedly ask for over $100 million for the 19-year-old Ivorian, who has 12 goals and six assists in 30 Bundesliga games this season.
Barcola is enjoying continued success at PSG, but has become more of a squad player. The French winger has 38 goals in 146 games for PSG since arriving at the club, and has scored 12 this season.
Liverpool has been linked with PSG winger Bradley Barcola
Liverpool has been linked with PSG winger Bradley Barcola(Image: Getty Images)
PSG head coach Luis Enrique is a huge fan of Barcola, and defended him earlier this season as fans began to turn on the winger. "It’s not just Bradley; everyone is criticized at PSG," he said.
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"That’s normal — it comes with playing here. You have to get used to it. The forwards are very good players, with a lot of character. Criticism is part of life in a top club.
"Bradley, last year and this year, has shown his personality. He is very fast and can still improve technically. I am very happy with all my attackers."
Although Barcola could win back-to-back Champions League titles with PSG, he could enjoy a heightened role at Liverpool. Elsewhere in England, West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen has been linked with Liverpool, with his club on the brink of relegation.