Liverpool have begun their hunt to replace the legendary Mohamed Salah this summer, and that has led them to start sending their recruitment team out to watch a number of talents.
The Reds announced during the international break that the Egyptian will leave at the end of the season, despite having another year remaining on his contract, with the two parties mutually agreeing that an exit made sense.
Salah will depart on a free transfer, meaning the club won't get a fee for him, but they will get his huge £400,000-a-week wages off the books, which in turn will free up cash to go towards a potential replacement, and they have been hugely impressed by one youngster.
Liverpool Eyeing Bazoumana Traore
Ivory Coast and Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana ToureUlrik Pedersen/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA
According to a report by Sport BILD, via Sport Witness, Liverpool chiefs sent scouts to the Hill Dickinson Stadium recently to watch Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Traore feature for the Ivory Coast during a 1-0 win over Scotland.
The tricky winger, who has been described as a 'hurricane' and 'a future Ballon d'Or contender', played for 69 minutes in the game and impressed with his lightning pace, and Liverpool scouts were present to watch him live in the flesh.
It's understood that Liverpool have kept a close eye on the 20-year-old sensation over the course of the season for a potential future move, and with Salah now set to depart it could be the time for them to move forward with their interest.
Liverpool have already identified Traore's international teammate Yan Diomande as an option for the wing too, but RB Leipzig's £87m asking price may prove prohibitive in getting a deal over the line.
Hoffenheim currently value Traore at around €40m (£34.8m), which would be much more reasonable, and that has seen him become one of the top targets for Arne Slot heading into the window.
Would Traore Improve Liverpool?
Hoffenheim defender Bazoumana Toure defends
Traore is the type of signing that Liverpool fans tend to love. He's raw, with incredible skill and talent, and a very high ceiling, whose style of play will get them off their seats and help them to score goals.
At under £35m it's hardly a huge gamble either, especially in this market, and if he can live up to the hype then he could prove to be a bargain, just like Salah.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT to break down how Traore would fit into the Liverpool team and what he'd offer them, and this was its response:
Direct, explosive winger: suits high-tempo transitions.
Strong 1v1 dribbler: adds unpredictability vs deep blocks
Vertical runner: stretches defences, complements Mohamed Salah
Pressing energy: fits Liverpool’s counter-pressing demands
End product improving but inconsistent
Raw decision-making; needs coaching to refine final third choices
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