Liverpool line up shock move for £77m Chelsea reject as Klopp prepares for Mo Salah departure
Reece James and Joao Felix of Chelsea, 2023
Liverpool have reportedly identified Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix as a replacement for Mohamed Salah should he leave the club this summer.
The Egypt international is the subject of interest from Saudi club Al Ittihad, who are willing to offer him record-breaking wages as they look to lure him away from Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp has already said that ‘the answer would be no’ should a bid arrive for him. In reality, though, everyone has a price – although Salah’s is well in excess of £100m.
The 31-year-old is thought to be happy to make the switch to Saudi, too, but won’t actively push for a move away from the Reds.
Liverpool are in the process of drawing up contingency plans should their Premier League all-time leading goal scorer leave the club.
As reported by TEAMtalk, Juventus’ Federico Chiesa and Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane have been discussed by the Reds’ hierarchy.
Both would certainly be exciting additions, but filling Salah’s boots is no easy task.
Liverpool are now plotting a shock move for Felix, who is desperate to move clubs this summer.
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Felix eyed by Liverpool as Salah replacement
According to Football Transfers, Felix is one of the players that Liverpool are looking to bring in should Salah be sold this summer.
The Portugal international is searching for a new club due to having a poor relationship with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
Barcelona are keen on signing Felix, but his price tag of approximately £77m may make it difficult for them to complete a deal, given their ongoing financial issues.
It’s also reported that the 23-year-old has agreed to join Saudi club Al Hilal on a season-long loan should a move to Barcelona fail to materialise. Atletico would prefer to sell him permanently, however.
Felix spent the second half of last season on loan with Chelsea. He made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, scoring four goals in the process.
Despite putting in some good performances, Mauricio Pochettino has no interest in signing him permanently.
A versatile player, Felix has the ability to play as a winger, second striker or a centre-forward, so in that sense would be a logical replacement for Salah at Liverpool.
With that in mind, it will be interesting to see if the Merseyside club make a bid for Felix should Salah make a big-money move to Saudi.
