Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool are one step closer to signing next Mo Salah | OneFootball

Liverpool are one step closer to signing their dream next Mo Salah.

The departure of the Egyptian marks the end of a defining era for Liverpool, and replacing him this summer is not going to be easy.

Salah has been far more than just a key player, he has been the driving force behind Liverpool’s attack for years. His consistency in front of goal has set him apart in the Premier League, establishing him as both the team’s most reliable performer and a global face of the club.

What makes his departure so significant is the level of output he has delivered season after season.

Even in a 'bad' season Salah has still be one of the most influential players in the squad.

Time and again, he has been the difference in tight matches, producing moments of quality when they mattered most.

His versatility only adds to the challenge of replacing him. Whether cutting inside onto his stronger foot, making intelligent runs in behind defenses, or finishing instinctively in the box, Salah has operated as far more than a conventional winger, effectively functioning as a complete forward.

Since arriving in 2017, he has made the right flank his own, holding that position almost uncontested for close to a decade.

Now, Liverpool must begin the search for his successor, a task that is far easier said than done.

The reality is that there really isn't anyone out there who can replace Salah.

Richard Hughes has a difficult time on his hands because he doesn't just need to replace Salah but he also needs to replace Luis Diaz, who left the club last summer and wasn't really replaced.

As a result for much of the season, Liverpool have lacked natural depth out wide. When Salah or Cody Gakpo have been unavailable, the team has often relied on makeshift options or players operating outside their preferred roles.

The attack has looked unbalanced and predictable because of this deficiency. Opponents have found it easier to contain Liverpool. The Reds have lacked a true winger who can hold width and take players on for fun.

Addressing this issue and bringing in a right-winger who is a different profile to Salah will be the number one priority for the club.

And there is a dream signing who could very much become the next Salah at Liverpoo, and who has predominantly played as a right-winger in his career so far but could also play on the left.

His name is PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye, who has been on Liverpool's radar before. Now Mbaye is 18-year-old and he's regarded as an outstading talent, who has played close to 50 senior games for PSG already.

However, recently he has fallen out of favour given the sheer number of players in his positions at the club.

In PSG's most recent game he was even left out of the squad.

And this prompted Fabrizio Romano to tweet that Mbaye is 'one to watch in the summer.

That update surely means that Mbaye is going to be on the move, or at least this is the expectation in the industry and if that is the case Liverpool given their need to sign their next Salah are going to be in the mix.

The fact that Mbaye has fallen out so out of favour definitely puts them one step closer to getting their man, too.