Roma winger Mohamed Salah is said to be one of Liverpool’s alternative targets for the summer, with Julian Brandt now unlikely to join.
Speaking earlier in May, Brandt stressed that “it is very important to play a lot of games next season, which is definitely the case here in Leverkusen.”
The 21-year-old is eager to force himself into the Germany squad for next summer’s World Cup, and this is seemingly impacting his decision over a possible move.
While Bayer Leverkusen are yet to secure their place in the Bundesliga next season, it now seems less likely that Brandt will leave—delivering a blow to Liverpool, as one of their top targets.
Now, according to Goal‘s Melissa Reddy, the Reds are identifying alternatives to the youngster, with former Chelsea winger Salah one of Jurgen Klopp‘s possible candidates.
“The Reds have been long-term admirers of the Egypt international,” Reddy writes, “who can operate across the forward line as well as an attacking midfielder.”
Salah, who turned down Liverpool back in 2014, has two years left on his current contract with Roma, which could provide the Reds with an opportunity.
But Reddy reports his club “would not be receptive to losing such an influential player.”
However, Reddy claims that Salah is not Liverpool’s most likely target if they fail to land Brandt, with Arsenal‘s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain instead second in line as Klopp looks to improve his wide attacking options.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will enter the final year of his deal with the Gunners this summer, and Liverpool are said to be willing to pay around £20 million for his services.
Klopp is reported to be keen on signing Oxlade-Chamberlain due to his “ability to cover a number of positions,” and he would certainly be a wise addition.
But if the German is seeking an alternative to Sadio Mane, whose absence has proved so costly this season, Salah would no doubt be the better option.
The 24-year-old has been in fine form since leaving Chelsea in 2015, scoring nine goals and assisting four in 26 games on loan at Fiorentina, before scoring 32 and assisting 23 in 80 outings for Roma.
His pace rivals that of Mane, while his ability to run at defenders as well as in behind would give Liverpool an invaluable option on either flank.
Ideally, the Reds will sign two wide players this summer, given the increased demands of the 2017/18 campaign, with both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Salah prime targets.
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