Liverpool are reportedly plotting an €80m (£67.1m) bid for Juventus attacker Kenan Yildiz amid increasing uncertainty surrounding the future of Mohamed Salah.
The 32-year-old Salah continued his extraordinary form in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Southampton, netting a pair of penalties as Arne Slot‘s side came from behind to win 3-1.
The Egypt international hit yet another two landmarks with his successful spot kicks, which saw him equal the all-time record for the most goal contributions in a 38-game Premier League season (44).
Salah also overtook Gordon Hodgson to become Liverpool’s outright third-highest goalscorer of all time, while also drawing level with Sergio Aguero on 184 goals in the English top flight.
However, the ex-Chelsea man’s scintillating season comes amid the backdrop of an unwelcome contract distraction, as he is still due to become a free agent at the end of the season when his deal expires.
Liverpool ready to pay £67.1m for Yildiz deal?
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Liverpool are still working to agree an extension with Salah’s entourage, but there is nothing stopping the player from holding talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement.
After Al-Ittihad failed with a £150m bid for Salah in 2023, Al-Hilal are now believed to be spearheading the interest from the Saudi Pro League as they search for a replacement for Neymar, who rejoined Santos in January.
Liverpool are naturally making contingency plans in the event that the winger leaves, and according to Tuttojuve, Juventus and Turkey starlet Yildiz is a player who could be ‘snatched’ by the Reds as Salah’s ‘heir’.
Arne Slot’s side supposedly have ‘every intention’ of poaching the 2005-born talent from Thiago Motta‘s ranks this summer, and they are ready to submit a proposal of €80m (£67.1m) to get a deal over the line.
The report adds that the Old Lady would prefer to sell Yildiz for closer to €100m (£83.9m), but they would consider a bid in the region of £67.1m from Liverpool, whom they have a good working relationship with following the deal to take Federico Chiesa to Anfield last year.
Who is Liverpool’s potential Salah replacement Yildiz?
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Born in Regensburg, Germany, Yildiz previously came through the youth system at Bayern Munich for 10 years between 2012 and 2022, but he never made a senior appearance for the German giants.
The attacker subsequently joined Juventus’ Next Gen setup in 2022 and has since become an integral player for head coach Thiago Motta, already making 40 appearances in all competitions this season.
Yildiz is yet to string together a prolific streak of performances, though, and he is only averaging a goal or assist every four games this season, scoring six of his own and providing four assists in 2024-25.
However, the Juventus man is still in the earliest stages of his career at 19 years old and would be a versatile option for Slot, as he is comfortable on either flank or through the middle as a second striker.
Yildiz is also an established senior international and was a regular fixture of the Turkey team that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, making four starts at the competition.
