Report: Liverpool already working on deals for potential Mo Salah replacements | OneFootball

Liverpool Working Overtime on Salah Successor as New Era Looms

Liverpool’s forward planning has rarely been questioned in recent years, yet the confirmation of Mohamed Salah’s impending departure brings a different kind of scrutiny. According to reporting credited to CaughtOffside, the club are already deep into contingency planning, with recruitment staff “working overtime” to identify a worthy successor.

Succession Planning Underway

Salah’s exit, now confirmed for the end of the season, closes a chapter that has defined Liverpool’s modern attacking identity. The club have anticipated this moment, however, with “lingering doubts over Salah’s future this season” prompting early groundwork in the transfer market.

Two names stand out. Michael Olise and Yan Diomande have emerged as leading candidates, each offering a distinct profile. Olise represents proven elite output, Diomande a more developmental gamble. Neither, though, offers a like for like replacement for a player who has consistently blurred the line between winger and goalscoring forward.

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One source in the report underlined the urgency of the situation, stating: “Liverpool are working overtime to get a marquee signing to replace Salah.” That phrasing carries weight, suggesting not just recruitment, but reinvention.

Olise Appeal and Financial Reality

Olise’s numbers at Bayern Munich, 19 goals and 24 assists across all competitions, place him firmly among Europe’s most productive attackers. “They’d love to get Michael Olise,” a source added, though Bayern’s reluctance to sell complicates matters.

Liverpool’s confidence in their pull remains notable. “Liverpool feel they might be able to tempt the player back to the Premier League.” That belief speaks to the club’s standing, but also to the scale of ambition required to replace Salah.

Financial considerations loom large. After heavy investment in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz last summer, another marquee deal would likely demand significant outgoings. Liverpool’s model has always balanced ambition with sustainability, but this moment may test that equilibrium.

Gakpo Exit Could Shape Deals

One potential lever is Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward attracted Bayern interest last summer and could re enter discussions as part of a structured deal.

“It could also be logical to try including him in any deal for Olise,” the report notes. While no talks are confirmed, the idea reflects a pragmatic approach, leveraging existing assets to secure elite talent.

This is not merely about replacing goals, it is about recalibrating the squad. Gakpo’s versatility has value, but Liverpool may now prioritise specialism over flexibility.

Diomande Option Signals Strategic Depth

Yan Diomande represents a different direction. The RB Leipzig winger has impressed, and “I’ve heard Arne Slot is a big fan,” suggesting alignment between recruitment and coaching vision.

He may not yet possess Salah’s stature or Olise’s output, but his inclusion on the shortlist indicates Liverpool’s willingness to blend immediate impact with long term potential.

There is also a wider market reality at play. “There’s a recognition that it’s not the easiest market for top attacking players right now,” which may force Liverpool into creative solutions.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this feels like a defining crossroads. Replacing Salah is not simply about numbers, it is about identity. His goals, his reliability, his presence in decisive moments, these are not easily replicated.

Olise is the standout candidate. Those 19 goals and 24 assists scream elite production, and crucially, Premier League familiarity. If Liverpool can pull that off, it signals serious intent. Yet the financial side cannot be ignored. Two consecutive summers of major spending would represent a shift in FSG’s traditional approach.

Diomande, meanwhile, feels like a classic Liverpool move, identifying talent before it fully peaks. But asking him to step into Salah’s shadow would be a huge demand.

Ultimately, this transition will define the summer and potentially seasons ahead. Get it right, and Liverpool evolve. Get it wrong, and the post Salah era becomes a period of regression rather than renewal.