Mo Salah’s Liverpool replacement revealed after Saudi bombshell

Liverpool continue to regard Takefusa Kubo as their ideal replacement for Mohamed Salah, according to a report.

The Reds’ club legend is still making headlines, and not just for his unreal performances this season. Salah is out of contract at the end of the season and despite earlier optimism that he would extend his Liverpool deal, the mood has now soured.

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On Tuesday, it was claimed that Saudi giants Al-Hilal are still ‘confident’ that the 32-year-old will move to the Middle East this summer even if it likely won’t be in time for the Club World Cup.

Salah, the report asserted, ‘remains interested’ in a potential transfer to the Saudi Pro League and that the ‘lines of communication’ between his camp and Al-Hilal were still open as he mulls over his final decision.

Liverpool have made him a formal contract, but Salah has yet to choose whether to accept or to seek a new challenge.

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Liverpool’s Salah replacement

Ever since Saudi Arabia first became interested in the Egyptian in summer 2023, Liverpool have been linked with potential replacements. One name that perennially crops up is that of Japan international Takefusa Kubo.

The Real Sociedad star has established himself as one of LaLiga’s most exciting attackers in recent years, although the current season is proving difficult for the 23-year-old.

Kubo has netted seven goals and provided four assists in 43 appearances across all competitions so far, which is a far cry from the spectacular numbers Salah is putting up.

Nevertheless, TEAMtalk reports that Kubo is still viewed as an ideal replacement for the veteran attacker. Liverpool have shown ‘the most concrete’ interest, although other clubs are also keen.

Kubo has a €60 million release clause and it is thought that Real Sociedad may feel compelled to sell should they miss out on European qualification this season. They currently sit in a disappointing 10th place in LaLiga.