Liverpool plotting bid for Mo Salah replacement as one of Belgium's 'best young talents' targeted

Liverpool are plotting bids to sign a player that could be a future Mohamed Salah replacement, according to a fresh report.

Salah was the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League in the summer, including a £150million verbal offer from Al Ittihad, which was swiftly turned down by the Reds.

The Egyptian became the highest-paid player in the club’s history when he penned a three-year contract in July 2022, worth around £350,000 per week, and it’s unlikely Liverpool will be open to letting him go anytime soon.

However, with just 18 months left on that deal, the Reds may be contingency planning for the future.

Indeed, according to the Mail Online, the Reds have joined a lengthening list of clubs following Genk midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.

The 19-year-old winger is a Morocco international who, according to the publication, is regarded as one of the “best young talents” in the country and allegedly on the radar of Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen.

While Liverpool’s summer priority reportedly remains their defence, the club are said to be keeping an eye on El Khannouss as well as Palmeiras winger Luis Guilherme.

The Premier League leaders are thought to be keeping an eye on young, versatile attacking talent with an eye on Salah's future.

Meanwhile, Salah’s current fitness is a subject of concern with the player’s hamstring injury "more serious than first thought", according to his agent.

The Egyptian was initially ruled out for just two games by Egypt after sustaining the muscle injury in their 2-2 draw with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.

However, it has now been revealed he could be out for up to 28 days.

In a post on X, agent Ramy Abbas wrote: "Mohamed's injury is more serious than first thought and he will be out for 21-28 days, and not two games.

"His best chance at participating in the current AFCON is by undergoing intensive rehabilitation in the UK and rejoining the team as soon as he is fit."