Liverpool’s dream attack: FSG agrees record fee, Salah successor valued at £50 million, Klopp flop axed

This summer, Liverpool manager Arne Slot may restructure his offensive options in an attempt to assemble his ideal front three.

Even though Arne Slot hasn’t added any new players to Liverpool yet, Victor Osimhen of Napoli is the one target on his wish list.

Osimhen hasn’t found a new team this summer despite being linked to every big European club, largely because of the Partenopei’s enormous demands. It is said that Aurelio De Laurentiis, the owner of Napoli, is seeking a sum over £110 million in exchange for the 25-year-old; if Liverpool were to pay this kind of money, it would set a club record.

But with the American owners prepared to give Slot the money he needs to bolster the team following Jurgen Klopp’s exit, the days of being frugal under FSG are long gone.

Osimhen, who scored 15 goals in 25 Serie A games last season, would demonstrate that they mean business after Klopp’s tearful parting. The Dutchman has not made a signing since his arrival.

The Nigerian does not deny the allure of joining Liverpool. He was reportedly on the verge of signing a new deal in October 2023 when Liverpool intervened and gave him a sneak peek at the terms he may receive if he joined the Reds. Osimhen has since said unequivocally that he wishes to quit the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

The fact that PSG and Napoli are still negotiating could be the only source of contention. But the French team has been slow to pay the outrageous amount for Osimhen, which has allowed Liverpool to move in unannounced.

The titans of Merseyside are not used to shelling out such high transfer fees, so they would probably have to sell to raise the money for Osimhen’s ideal transfer. This can entail putting £85 million flop Darwin Nunez up for sale, who hasn’t performed well since Klopp signed him in 2022.

Although the Uruguayan has been in outstanding form for his nation at the Copa America, his 20 goals in 65 Premier League games do not seem like good value. In contrast, despite playing one extra game, Erling Haaland has scored 43 more goals in that period.

The 25-year-old, who was known as a pure goalscorer when he joined from Benfica, was an ideal fit for the physically demanding Premier League because of his quickness and strength. Nunez has been utilised from the left flank or even as a stand-in for impact, but it hasn’t succeeded.

According to a May Corriere Dello Sport story, new manager Slot intended to sign Osimhen and cut Nunez. Whether he still feels that way after the preseason is over is unknown, but unless PSG express interest, Nunez may have trouble finding a buyer outside of Saudi Arabia.

And lastly, there’s Mohamed Salah’s embarrassing predicament. With one year remaining on his deal, the 31-year-old Egyptian seems certain to sign a free move away from Liverpool in the summer of 2025 unless he is sold this summer.

Liverpool will be preparing for that eventuality, and Slot could want to consult one of his players to see who the long-term Salah replacement should be. Wataru Endo, who is said to be in advanced talks with the club, has previously stated that he would support of any move for Takefusa Kubo, his teammate on the Japan national team.

According to a report published in the Japanese publication Sponichi, negotiations between Kubo’s representatives and Liverpool are reportedly in the “final stages,” and the Reds were ready to activate the winger’s £50 million release clause in order to sign him away from Real Sociedad.

Endo stoked rumours regarding Fubo’s possible arrival when he talked about which other Japanese player he would want to see at Anfield. Endo responded by saying, “Kubo.”

“The search for Mohamed Salah’s replacement has begun, so this is becoming a real area for Liverpool to strengthen,” the midfield player continued. I believe Kubo is a player that might step in for him on the national squad.

Real Madrid would view Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior as essential players, while Liverpool supporters would be daydreaming about either player. However, if Salah leaves, Fubo—a deft left-footed winger with a flair for creating and scoring goals—might be the ideal step-in replacement.