Liverpool interest in Salah successor 'waning' - let's hope they don't regret it

Liverpool supporters were jubilant upon receiving the news that Mohamed Salah renewed his contract. With his previous deal expiring in summer 2025, it was feared that Salah would depart for nothing.

Happily, a resolution was reached between Salah’s representatives and Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes. The new agreement means Salah will remain at Anfield until June 2027 - when he will turn 35.

READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister REQUESTS signing of Argentina international teammate

Liverpool are paying the Egyptian King around £400,000 per week for the next two years - a calculated gamble that Salah will remain fit and in good form for the next couple of seasons.

READ MORE: Angelo Stiller is the ONE to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold

Before the renewal, there was plenty of speculation that Liverpool would go into the market for a Salah successor.

It’s emerged that the club were ready to make an attempt to sign Leroy Sane as a free agent while links with other left-footed attackers were prominent.

Liverpool interested in Mbeumo

One name reportedly on the list of Salah replacements was Bryan Mbeumo. The Brentford attacker, 25, bears some stylistic similarities to the Egypt captain and could well be available this summer.

Mbeumo has a contract with the Bees which expires in 2026 - with the club holding an option for another year - and there has been noise recently that the West London club would consider a sale.

A price tag of £50 million to £60m has been mooted for the Cameroon international, who has 18 Premier League goals this season.

That is a hefty price but one that might prove reasonable in time with Mbeumo among the most under-rated attackers in the top flight.

Alas, it now seems like Liverpool are planning to put their Salah replacement plans on the back burner with their top scorer now signed up to his new deal.

Rather than rushing into the market this summer, it is likely that Hughes and Arne Slot will take their time before splashing out on a new wide forward.

Liverpool OUT of Mbeumo chase

That’s according to the latest report in Football Insider, which claims the new deal for Salah has lessened the priority of a new attacking talent.

“The Reds had lined up a move for the £60million-rated Bees forward as Mohamed Salah negotiated a contract renewal at Anfield,” the report states.

“But in a new twist with Salah committed for two more years – it is believed Liverpool‘s interest in Mbeumo is waning.”

Liverpool’s decision to opt out of the Mbeumo chase plays right into the hands of Manchester United, who were reported by Caught Offside to now be considering a bid.

“Manchester United are keen on the Brentford star to bolster their attacking lineup, with the Red Devils’ management reportedly preparing an opening bid for Mbeumo,” the report states.

Could Salah and Mbeumo co-exist?

There is no doubt Mbeumo would be an improvement on Ruben Amorim’s current options but in time he could have grown to become a natural successor to Salah at Anfield.

Indeed, for the next couple of seasons, the French-born forward could have shared duties on the right wing with Salah as well as performing in his other positions of support striker and centre-forward.

EXCLUSIVE: Richard Hughes targets TWO Serie A stars for Liverpool

But now it seems the Reds are content to allow other clubs a free run at Mbeumo - who first joined Brentford back in 2019. Let’s hope the decision works out and that new, suitable contenders for Salah’s position emerge in the seasons ahead.