Liverpool open talks for generational Real Madrid forward

Liverpool will have to move on from Mohamed Salah at the end of the current season.

Despite his contract extending to 2027 it has been decided to tear up his £400k per week deal - opening the door for a lucrative free transfer.

Focus at Anfield will turn to which player could come into the club and replace the Egyptian King. Given the scale of his goals and assists across nine seasons at Anfield it’s going to be difficult to find a like-for-like replacement.

There have been wingers named as targets with the likes of Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Yan Diomande all reportedly in the frame.

Those players won’t be easy to prise out of their current clubs - which means Richard Hughes could look at bringing in alternative options.

Liverpool in dialogue with Madrid over Arda Guler deal

And although not strictly a “winger” like the players named above - or Salah in his prime - Arda Guler is now emerging as a genuine contender to arrive at Anfield.

The Real Madrid playmaker, 21, is set to be surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu this summer.

That’s according to a report in TEAMtalk - which claims Liverpool are currently in talks with the Turkey international’s representatives as well as Real Madrid over a potential summer deal.

Guler - who joined Madrid from Fenerbahce in 2023 - may be moved even further down the pecking order due to the returns of youngsters Victor Munoz and Nico Paz from Osasuna and Como respectively.

Arsenal and Chelsea also want 'generational' Guler

“The Merseyside club are understood to have maintained regular contact with both Guler’s representatives and Real Madrid, positioning themselves strongly should an opportunity arise,” the report reads.

Complicating the picture could be the presence of both Chelsea and Arsenal - with the report claiming that both Premier League clubs will be in the hunt for Guler come summer.

“Like Liverpool, both clubs view Guler as a generational talent capable of operating across the forward line and in midfield,” the report reads.

Arda has made 23 starts for Madrid in LaLiga this term - scoring four goals and providing eight assists. He has usually been used as an attacking midfielder for Los Blancos but has also lined up from the right side too.

That brings him into the picture as a potential Salah replacement - with Arne Slot having the option of using a wing-back such as Jeremie Frimpong on the outside.

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