Andoni Iraola has his perfect Mohamed Salah replacement lined up

Mohamed Salah is exiting Liverpool this summer.

The Egyptian King has been pivotal to the Reds' attack ever since joining from AS Roma all those years ago.

However, after his playing time was dropped and his fallouts with Arne Slot became more regular, he's chosen to pack his bags and leave.

If you'd have asked any Liverpool fan, they'd have probably chosen to stick by the attacker rather than the Dutchman but, unfortunately, the decision wasn't theirs to make and now both have left.

Although Victor Munoz has just been signed, Andoni Iraola could still do with another attacker or two, especially since Hugo Ekitike's return date hasn't been set yet.

And now, it feels like the Spaniard has already got his perfect replacement for the Egyptian King lined up.

Andoni Iraola wants to bring Said El Mala in this summer

Since Liverpool's attack let them down this season, most of their links with players have been attackers.

Francisco Trincao, Yan Diomande and Yankuba Minteh are just a few of the players who Liverpool are interested in acquiring.

But, there's one of their transfer targets who really stands out and that is Said El Mala.

The Bundesliga gem has been one of Koln's best players this season with several clubs from around the world showing an interest in the attacker.

And now, a fresh update from Ben Jacobs has detailed that the German is on a five-man shortlist to replace Salah at Liverpool.

"Liverpool will sign another attacker/winger in addition to Victor Muñoz," he wrote via his personal X account.

"Optimism remains on Yan Diomande, but due to competition with PSG, and Leipzig's asking price, there are other targets.

"Understand pace is the key criteria. Also on the list are Köln's Said El Mala, Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo.

"All options in case Diomande doesn't arrive.

"Bradley Barcola another player Liverpool have looked at this summer."

Why Said El Mala is the perfect player for Liverpool to replace Mohamed Salah with

Much like most of Liverpool's transfer links this summer, El Mala is a young attacker with plenty of potential.

The German is only 19 years old and, even though he wasn't called up to Julian Naglesmann's World Cup squad, he was still one of the Bundesliga's best attackers.

He played all across the front three throughout the 2025-26 season and was even used as a number 10 on occasion.

During this time, he played 36 games for Koln and contributed to 18 goals.

His most-played position was on the left-wing but, since he can play on either side, he'd be more than capable of filling in the void left behind by Salah.

Standing at 6'1, the attacker is more of a physical presence rather than a technical winger which makes him perfect for the Premier League.

This physicality is likely one of the main reasons why he's so easily interchangeable as a forward as, no matter where he's used, he'll be able to get the better of his opponents with his performance in the final third being rather exceptional.

At his best, Salah was Liverpool's main goal scorer and, even though that's likely to be Alexander Isak, El Mala has similar attributes to the Egyptian King which could make him become a key member of Iraola's squad.

A fee worth around £43 million would be required to prise him away from the Bundesliga outfit this summer, which for a player of El Mala's quality, is more than fair.

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