Liverpool Eyes Barcelona’s Raphinha and Ansu Fati Amid Potential Mohamed Salah Departure
Liverpool is actively exploring the forward market to fill the potential void left by Mohamed Salah’s rumored move to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian league already tempted the Egyptian international last summer through Al Ittihad. The club, which secured the services of Karim Benzema, tabled a €200 million offer to Liverpool, but Salah chose to remain in the red jersey.
The impending departure of their manager, Jürgen Klopp, has changed the landscape, and Salah is reportedly considering the lucrative Saudi adventure. Offers are expected to flood in, with Al Hilal, backed by Neymar, rumored to be willing to pay €100 million fixed for his transfer, along with an additional €25 to €50 million in variables. With a year and a half left on his contract, Liverpool may not oppose the move, especially considering that sum would enable them to seek a reliable replacement in the market.
The Reds’ management has already sprung into action, and two preferred targets, according to ‘fichajes.net,’ are from Barcelona’s ranks: Raphinha and Ansu Fati.
The Brazilian is one of Barcelona’s players who could fetch a significant sum. In fact, Tottenham has reportedly tabled a €70 million offer, a proposal that could allow Barcelona to recoup the €58 million fixed and €9 million in variables invested and free up financial fair play. If Liverpool enters the scene, it could trigger a bidding war, convincing Barcelona to consider Raphinha’s departure.
In Ansu Fati’s case, Barcelona remains optimistic about recovering a player whose emergence in the elite hinted at a groundbreaking career. However, his recent hamstring injury has halted his progress at Brighton. Barcelona’s sports management intends to closely monitor his development.
Liverpool will also closely follow Fati’s progress with an eye on securing his signature if he demonstrates the expected leap in quality. However, Liverpool is well aware that prying him away from Barcelona in this scenario will be challenging.
