Liverpool 'closely watching' £2.9m Mohamed Salah replacement whom Arne Slot has already approved

Salah is now free to open talks with foreign clubs after entering the last six months of his deal and recently reaffirmed his view that this will be his final year at Liverpool unless he has reason to believe otherwise.

Liverpool remain desperate to keep the Premier League's current top scorer and top assister, though, and it was reported several weeks ago that they had sent his entourage their first proposal of a new deal.

There appears to have been little movement since then, but at the same time, there have been no concrete transfer offers for Salah, who is still thought to be the dream target for the Saudi Pro League.

Liverpool already have one younger alternative to the 32-year-old in the shape of Federico Chiesa, but the Italian's Anfield career is yet to ignite, and the consensus is that they will pursue a replacement should a new deal for Salah fall through.

Liverpool 'closely watching' Moussa performances

According to Football Insider, Feyenoord man Marmoush has now emerged as a candidate to inherit the Salah throne, having made a positive start to life in Rotterdam since joining from Belgian side Patro Eisden in the summer.

Feyenoord paid just €3.5m (£2.9m) to capture Moussa over the summer, and while he never worked under Arne Slot before the Dutchman jumped ship for Liverpool, the current Reds boss apparently approved his move to De Kuip in the spring.

The Paris-born Algerian attacker has contributed six goals and two assists from 19 appearances in all competitions this season, including strikes in each of Feyenoord's last three Champions League matches.

That hot streak in Europe includes Feyenoord's first goal in their astonishing 3-3 comeback draw with Manchester City, and he has now established himself as his side's first-choice right-winger.

Also a three-cap Algeria international, the 22-year-old made his senior debut for his country back in March, and the report claims that Liverpool are keeping a close eye on his performances in the Eredivisie.

However, Feyenoord still have Moussa under contract for another four-and-a-half years, and they can justifiably demand a healthy profit on the paltry £2.9m they paid for his services last year.

How are Liverpool progressing with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk deals?

As sporting director Richard Hughes does his utmost to sign Salah to a new contract, the Liverpool chief also has his hands full trying to tie Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk down to new deals.

At this juncture, there appears to be the most uncertainty surrounding Alexander-Arnold's possible renewal, as the right-back has now been the subject of one rejected offer from Real Madrid and could soon be tempted by another proposal.

Alexander-Arnold turned in an underwhelming display in the Reds' 2-2 draw with Manchester United at the weekend, but Liverpool continue to reiterate their stance that he is not for sale this month.

As for Van Dijk, whom Real Madrid have apparently rejected the chance to sign, he recently insisted that there was no update on his contract situation despite claims that a fresh deal has been agreed.

Written by

Ben Knapton