Liverpool have opened talks with the heir to Riyad Mahrez over a Merseyside move in the summer.
The Reds are well on course for a record-equalling 20th league title – but there’s an air of doom and gloom in the air over the imminent departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who’s leaving for Real Madrid.
With the club’s two other talismanic figures, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, also uncertain of their futures, this summer is a pivotal one in the future of the club.
Liverpool in talks with excellent attacker compared to Riyad Mahrez
Regardless of the future of Salah – ranked at no.5 in FourFourTwo’s list of the greatest Premier League players of all time – attacking reinforcements are a given for Liverpool.
The Merseysiders’ second-most expensive signing ever, Darwin Nunez, has been linked with an exit, as have Federico Chiesa and Luis Diaz, though FourFourTwo understands that the latter isn’t currently in consideration to be sold.
French outlet L’Equipe has reported on the “inquiries” that the Reds have made over Mohamed Amoura, who is currently on loan at Wolfsburg from Union Saint-Gilloise.
The 24-year-old forward is seen as the heir to the Algerian national team after Mahrez hangs up his boots and can join Wolfsburg for €14 million this summer. Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have also made contact over signing him – though German publication SportBild have previously relayed Liverpool’s interest over the other two.
FourFourTwo understands that Die Wolfe could demand triple what they pay for Amoura in order to sell him the same summer.
As an option on the left or centrally, Amoura could well provide cover and competition to the likes of Diaz, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo next season, with a view to succeeding the more established trio in time.
There are similarities with Omar Marmoush, another North African star that Liverpool had opened talks with prior to his switch to Manchester City.
Like Marmoush, Amoura is versatile enough to adapt his game across the frontline and is only starting to blossom with better numbers now he’s hit his mid-20s in the Bundesliga.
Reds fans, of course, will see a parallel there with Salah blooming somewhat later on in his development at Roma before his big move under Jurgen Klopp.
With eight goals and five assists while playing up front in Germany this season, Amoura could well be a serious option to lead the line for Slot, who is yet to settle on a first-choice no.9.
Amoura is worth €32m, as per Transfermarkt. Liverpool take on Everton tonight when Premier League action returns.
