Liverpool open talks with Salah successor who Arne Slot LOVES

Liverpool’s plans for the 2026 summer transfer window are said to include sourcing a permanent successor to Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian King, 33, is under contract at Anfield until 2027 but the process for replacing him is thought to be already underway.

Salah will be turning 35 when his current Liverpool contract expires and he faces an arduous few months with his national team before this season is out.

The strain is already beginning to tell on Salah, who has scored four Premier League goals this season, but who appears a long way short of his best form.

Liverpool step up Salah succession plans

Quite what sort of shape he will be in when he reports for preseason ahead of the 2026/27 season is currently unknown.

That’s because he has got the Africa Cup of Nations to play for Egypt during December and January - with a full FIFA World Cup campaign for the Pharaohs to follow next summer.

Sourcing an ideal successor therefore is paramount and could allow Richard Hughes the option of selling Salah to Saudi Arabia next summer should the opportunity arise.

And now a report in Fichajes now claims that club decision-makers have opened talks with a potential successor to Salah.

Liverpool identify Minteh as Salah successor

He is a player very well known to Arne Slot and it’s Yankuba Minteh from Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 21-year-old spent the 2023/24 season on loan with Slot at Feyenoord -winning the KNVB Beker. He scored 10 goals and added five assists in 27 Eredivisie outings for Feyenoord before returning to parent club Newcastle.

Minteh was sold quickly to Brighton by the Geordies for PSR purposes and the Gambian has since established himself as one of the best emerging wingers in the Premier League.

Minteh has got a goal and three assists for the Seagulls this season and it now appears that Liverpool are very interested in getting ahead of the competition for the left-footer.

Liverpool hold Yankuba Minteh talks

“Yankuba Minteh, 21, currently at Brighton & Hove Albion, has attracted the interest of the Reds thanks to his performances in the Premier League,” the report reads.

“Although a January transfer seems unlikely, Liverpool have already begun negotiations to get ahead of the squad overhaul.

“The club has already held preliminary talks with the player's representatives.”

Minteh ranks highly on FOTMOB for chances created per 90 and assists per 90. He has got a high dribbling success rate and boasts lots of touches in the opposition box too.

A Premier League-proven talent with skill, trickery and explosiveness, there cannot be many more suitable players for the Reds to acquire in the post-Mo Salah era.

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