Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a move for an exciting winger compared to Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr, with Arsenal and Barcelona also in the mix.
Mohamed Salah's struggles this season continued on Sunday afternoon, with the Egyptian largely ineffective in Sunday's 3-0 defeat away to Manchester City in the Premier League.
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has now even called for the 33-year-old to be dropped by Arne Slot, following a dramatic dropoff from last year's title-winning brilliance.
"The guy is not giving you anything! You could look at it the other way and say: 'He’s going to be away for two or three months so we may as well try and figure something out now. Why am I going to wait on a guy who’s giving me nothing? I need to be proactive here. I can’t just sit on my hands and let it happen and hope and pray that all of a sudden somebody waves a magic wand and he becomes the Egyptian King again.'
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"I absolutely think he needs to do something and my own person opinion, I would sit him."
Salah's form is increasingly showing the importance of Liverpool finding a successor to him, and it looks as though Fofana could be a leading option.
Liverpool keen on signing Malick Fofana
According to Sport [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are tussling Arsenal and Barcelona for the signing of Lyon's Malick Fofana, who has emerged as one of the most talented young attacking players in Ligue 1.
It is claimed that Barca have made contact with the 20-year-old's agent over a potential switch, but the Reds and the Gunners are showing the "most interest" in him from the Premier League. He could cost as much £44m, with Lyon refusing to budge on their asking price.
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It is easy to see why Liverpool like Fofana so much, with scout Jacek Kulig comparing him to Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr, as well as describing him as "magnificent".
The Belgian is a left winger by trade, so he could be seen as an upgrade or long-term replacement for Cody Gakpo, but he can also shine on the opposite flank, allowing him to provide competition for Salah.
Fofana has already bagged 17 goals and eight assists in 74 appearances for Lyon, and those numbers should only improve as he matures with his end product.
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