Arne Slot picks Mo Salah replacement: €50m bid coming

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has pinpointed the player that he wants to replace Mohamed Salah should the Egypt international leave Anfield at the end of the season.

Slot is eyeing Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad to fill the void that Salah could potentially leave should he take up a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League, which wants to make the attacker one of its figurehead stars alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The deal is said to be “99% done“.

There is every chance Salah could depart. He has been openly pessimistic about the direction of travel of his contract talks with Liverpool and given the riches on offer to him in Saudi Arabia, where he would hook up with one of the leading sides, a transfer would be a lucrative option in this latter part of his career.

Slot is bracing himself for the loss of the Liverpool talisman and has handpicked Kuba as Salah’s replacement, according to El Nacional.

The Dutch manager is prepared to pay the €60 million release clause of the Japan international, who went through the youth academies of both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but Liverpool will try to avoid this if possible.

Liverpool send Chiesa to Spain

The Reds are poised to offer Federico Chiesa to Real Sociedad, with Slot seeking to use this as an opportunity to wash his hands of the former Juventus player. Chiesa arrived at Anfield for just €12m but has not proven worth the gamble. He has made only seven appearances for the Merseyside club, featuring for just 186 minutes in total.

Now Liverpool are prepared to cut their losses. They will offer Real Sociedad €50m plus Chiesa for Kubo.

Despite the falling transfer value of the Italy international star, it is claimed that the Reds are “confident” a deal will be accepted.

Liverpool, it seems, are readying themselves for life after Salah, with Kubo the man chosen to step into the great man’s boots.