As the season draws to a close, Liverpool and Mohamed Salah’s contract renewal issue has yet to be settled. If no agreement is reached, he will leave the team at the end of the season and go to Saudi Arabia, a move that has been rumoured for some time.
For Liverpool, the loss of Egyptian King, who leads the attack in both goals and assists, would be a major blow. The successor to the great winger would come under considerable pressure, not only in terms of ability.
Various attackers who are expected to play such a big role have been linked with a move to Anfield. Ademola Lookman, a 27-year-old forward at Atalanta, has been reported as one of the candidates, but was only seen as one of the many targets.
According to TuttoAtalanta, the Merseyside club are set to try and land the Nigeria winger in the summer transfer window, with the Nigeria international a top target if Mohamed Salah were to leave the club.
The London-born attacker has experienced English football with Charlton, Everton and Fulham, and also experienced the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig. However, he failed to become an absolute force at either club, but his talent blossomed in Italy, where he joined in the summer of 2022.
The 27-year-old winger, who also reached the pinnacle of the Europa League last season, has made over 100 appearances for Atalanta, scoring 50 goals so far, and has developed into a player in his late twenties, with all the big clubs keen to see him in his prime.
Although he represents Nigeria, his home country is England, and a return to the Premier League should be attractive. He has played regularly but failed to make his mark, so it is no surprise that he is keen to make history in England once again.
However, as a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah, his position is a little different. His main position is as a left winger or second striker, and considering him as a right winger would require a slightly different role and a change in team tactics.
A replacement for Colombian international Luis Diaz, who is increasingly likely to leave, would be a meaningful deal, but will the Reds make a move for Atalanta’s Nigerian forward…?