LIVERPOOL have identified Lyon star Rayan Cherki as a potential replacement for Mo Salah, according to reports.
Salah is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, with Paris Saint-Germain also interested.
Liverpool are reported to be on the look out for his long-term replacement, and are said to like the look of Eintracht Frankfurt hotshot Omar Marmoush.
The Reds are now understood to have identified Cherki as a possible replacement instead, report L’Equipe.
Cherki, 21, has a year left on his deal although Lyon have the option to extend.
However the French club may need to sell due to their rising debt, which stands at £422million.
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Ligue 1 have placed a transfer embargo on the club and they will lose their top-flight status at the end of the season unless they improve their situation and avoid going into administration.
Cherki made his France debut earlier this year and has scored 19 goals in 152 appearances for Lyon.
He has remained coy when asked about his future in the past, suggesting he is focused only on Lyon.
Speaking earlier this year, he said: “I don’t think about what’s next at all.
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“My future will wait, until the end of the season. Lyon comes first. When the time comes to ask the question, we will ask it, but it is not yet the time.”
Fulham have also been tipped to make a move for Cherki after failing with a £35million offer last January.
Five Mo Salah strops at Liverpool
Five times things have got heated during Mo Salah’s Liverpool career.
West Ham 2 Liverpool 2 – April 28, 2024
Salah gets into a heated argument with Klopp as he refuses to shake the manager’s hand before coming on at the London Stadium.
Liverpool 3 Sheffield United 1 – April 4, 2024
Salah shakes his head as he is subbed off during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over the basement club.
Chelsea 1 Liverpool 1 – August 13, 2023
Salah storms off the pitch after being replaced on 77 minutes on the first day of the season.
Brighton 1 Liverpool 1 – November 28, 2020
Salah throws his arms up in the air and barely looks at Klopp after being subbed off. Brighton go on to equalise with a last minute penalty.
Burnley 0 Liverpool 3 – August 31, 2019
Salah gets in a public spat with Sadio Mane after failing to pass to the winger. Team-mate Roberto Firmino says the row had been brewing for some time.
Read the full article from Jack Rosser
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
