Liverpool are keeping an eye on Johan Bakayoko as a possible successor to Mohamed Salah amid links to Saudi Arabia.
Football Insider has claimed that Liverpool are looking at Johan Bakayoko as a potential successor for Mohamed Salah. There have been strong links to Saudi Arabia for the Egyptian attacker, and the club are planning on a succession plan with the 20-year-old Belgian winger.
Not many must have heard of Johan Bakayoko before the media starts reporting about links to top clubs like Liverpool. The report mentions the Merseysiders as suitors for the 20-year-old Belgian winger from PSV Eindhoven.
The story claims Jurgen Klopp could look to replace Mohamed Salah with the relatively unknown 20-year-old Belgian winger. Fans will want the club to bring in a big-name replacement if the Egyptian leaves amid links to Saudi side Al-Ittihad and talk of a lucrative contract on the table.
Salah’s agent has since reiterated the forward’s commitment to the club. He had only signed a lucrative contract last summer. Yet, the links to Al-Ittihad have returned with vigour, which could make some Liverpool fans worry about their star man’s future.
Liverpool already opened the Saudi door some time ago. They allowed two experienced stars like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to leave; Salah might even look at the idea of that league. Hence, the Merseysiders have to sit tight until the end of the window and then heave a sigh of relief if they manage to keep Salah.
In the scenario, they lose Salah and possibly even Alisson, who got linked with Al-Nassr; Klopp reportedly seeks a replacement plan. For the Egyptian, he has earmarked Bakayoko as the candidate to take up the mantle at Anfield, but it does seem senseless.
The 20-year-old Belgian winger seems like a decent player at best and could evolve at any top club as a backup to current wingers. Yet, calling him the succession plan for a player like Salah does not make much sense.
In any case, Bakayoko had a decent breakthrough season at PSV Eindhoven last season. His game time exponentially improved along with his numbers after the departure of Noni Madueke to Chelsea in January. The 20-year-old Belgian winger does have the character to become a top professional, but it will take considerable time.
