Liverpool’s pursuit of Jeremy Doku intensifies as club seeks potential Mo Salah successor
Liverpool Football Club appears to be making contingency plans for the potential departure of Mohamed Salah, with reports surfacing about the club’s interest in signing another right winger.
Salah, 31, undeniably stood out as one of Liverpool’s top performers last season, notching an impressive 30 goals and providing 16 assists across all competitions. However, the Egyptian’s remarkable individual contributions couldn’t secure a top-four finish for the Merseyside club, relegating them to the Europa League in the upcoming season instead of the prestigious Champions League.
Despite signing a three-year contract extension just last year, Salah has been linked with a potential exit from Anfield during the current transfer window. Reports suggest that French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) hold an admiration for the Egyptian international, with Salah even meeting PSG’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, in Morocco. Furthermore, there have been murmurs of lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, with at least one Saudi Pro League club expressing interest in acquiring Salah’s services.
However, Liverpool remains adamant about retaining Salah and is determined to keep him for the upcoming 2023/24 campaign. Nevertheless, signs are emerging that the Reds are preparing for a future without their prolific Egyptian star. Recent speculation has linked Jurgen Klopp’s side with various right-sided wingers, a position typically occupied by Salah within the Premier League club’s lineup.
According to French journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter (via Get French Football News), Liverpool has shown a “strong interest” in Rennes’ promising winger, Jeremy Doku. The 21-year-old joined Rennes from Belgian club Anderlecht in 2020 and made 29 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, finding the net on six occasions.
While Doku remains a viable option, Liverpool has reportedly explored other potential right-wing reinforcements as well. Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze and Fenerbahce wonderkid Arda Guler, who can also operate in central midfield, have been linked with the Reds, highlighting the club’s intent to bolster their options in that position.
Beyond the search for right wingers, Liverpool is actively pursuing the acquisition of several midfielders this summer. The club has already secured the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and is believed to be close to finalizing a deal for Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram. These moves form part of Klopp’s ongoing squad rebuild, which has seen the departures of players such as James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita this month.
As Liverpool navigates the dynamic transfer market, the club is proactively exploring potential alternatives to ensure a smooth transition should Mohamed Salah’s tenure at Anfield eventually come to an end.