Liverpool are reportedly eyeing the signing of an exciting winger, compared to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, with Arsenal and Barcelona also on the list.
Mohamed Salah’s struggles this season continued on Sunday afternoon, with the Egyptian having little effect in Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City.
Liverpool legend Steve Nicholl has called for the 33-year-old to be removed from manager Arne Slott after the club’s title-winning shine last year declined dramatically.
“The guy isn’t going to give you anything. You could look at it the other way and say, ‘Well, he’s going to be away for a few months, so maybe I should start thinking about something now. Why should I wait for a guy who’s not going to give me anything? I need to be proactive here. I can’t just sit there and do nothing, hoping and praying that suddenly someone waves a magic wand and makes him King of Egypt again.’
“I absolutely think he needs to do something, and in my personal opinion, I would sit him out.”
Salah’s form increasingly points to the importance of Liverpool finding his successor, with Fofana looking like a likely option.
Liverpool keen to sign Malik Fofana
According to sports (via sports witness), Liverpool are in a race with Arsenal and Barcelona to sign Lyon’s Malick Fofana, who has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s most talented young attacking players.
Barça are said to have contacted the 20-year-old’s agent about a possible move, while the Reds and Gunners have shown the “strongest interest” in him from the Premier League. The transfer fee could be up to £44 million, but Lyon have rejected the offer.
It’s easy to see why Liverpool like Fofana so much, with scout Jacek Kulig comparing him to Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior and calling him “fantastic”.
The Belgian is a left-winger by trade and could be seen as an upgrade or long-term replacement for Kodi Gakpo, but he can also operate on the other flank and could provide competition for Salah.
Fofana already has 17 goals and eight assists in 74 appearances for Lyon, and those numbers should improve even more as he matures into the final product.
