Liverpool appear to be interested in signing Sporting Lisbon star Francisco Trincao to fill the huge void left by Mohamed Salah’s exit.
The ‘Egyptian King’ bid an emotional farewell to Anfield on the final day of the 2025-26 Premier League season after a record-breaking spell with the Reds, which saw Salah score 257 goals and assist 123 in 442 appearances.
While there isn’t a player in the world bar Michael Olise that could come close to replacing Salah, there is a growing sense of excitement at the new era being ushered in.
It’s helped by the ‘new manager groove’ with Andoni Iraola replacing Arne Slot, but the thought of a tricky winger under the Spaniard’s heavy metal football is exciting ahead of the 2026-27 season.
? Liverpool are understood to be leading the race to sign Sporting CP winger Francisco Trincão this summer.
The Reds are willing to meet the Portuguese international’s £50M release clause, though any deal is likely to depend on outgoing transfers first.
Trincão previously… pic.twitter.com/dTbr9eCaQe
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 9, 2026
Latest Trincao to Liverpool transfer news
While time will tell which reports are true and which are merely symptomatic of the ‘silly season’ paper talk, there does appear to be some substance to the Reds’ interest in Trincao.
Multiple reports from Portugal in recent weeks have suggested that the main side involved in the race to sign Trincao is Liverpool. The front page of the Portuguese newspaper Record featured Liverpool’s interest in late May, with the headline: “Trincao on the English route.”
Now, Record reports that Liverpool are ‘the closest to bringing’ Trincao back to England after his failed spell with Wolves. In 30 games for the now relegated English club, Trincao scored three goals and provided a solitary assist.
This claim comes after another Portuguese outlet in Correio da Manha claimed that the arrival of Andoni Iraola has ‘done nothing to cool interest’ in the 26-year-old.
Crucially, it’s worth noting that Liverpool’s interest doesn’t have anything to do with their desire to sign Yan Diomande. The Reds want both.
? Liverpool make contact with RB Leipzig as Yan Diomande pursuit steps up. #LFC currently in strongest position on player side if 19yo winger moves – #RBLeipzig determined not to sell. #PSG interest remains firm but less advanced at present @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/dt64tbgGNo
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 4, 2026
Why Trincao makes sense for Liverpool
As already mentioned, Liverpool cannot replace Salah adequately without signing Michael Olise. Bayern Munich will not consider selling the French superstar, and even if they did, reports have claimed it would take a minimum of €150m-€200m (£129m to £172m).
That kind of fee is obviously out of the question after the initially poor return on investment from last summer, which saw £320m committed to the signing of Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
That said, Trincao would reportedly cost in the region of £52m. Much more palatable.
This season, Trincao scored 13 goals and provided 18 assists. While the Portuguese league admittedly comes with something of a ‘tax’ in terms of how those numbers translate to the Premier League. That said, the Portugal international seems a safe bet for Liverpool given he scored four goals and provided three assists in the Champions League, which is a much better gauge of his talent.