Liverpool have been urged to move for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo if Mohamed Salah does complete a late move to Saudi Arabia. The Egyptian forward has been linked with a big-money transfer to Al-Ittihad that could leave the Reds short, potentially forcing them into the market as they look to replace Salah.
Liverpool already have Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez competing for spots in the front three, but all prefer to play either centrally or on the left wing – with youngster Ben Doak the preferred option when Salah has been rotated out of the team.
This may force Liverpool to enter the market for a specialised right-winger and ex-Reds striker Stan Collymore believes that Mbuemo could be that man. “It may surprise some of you but Mbeumo is my favourite player in the Premier League,”
“I think he’s quality. Whenever I watch him, he gets the ball close to his feet, he’s very direct, he makes excellent runs in the channels, he can drop deep, he holds the ball up really well, he is very supportive of his striking partner, he gets in the box and poaches goals, he’s physically strong.
“I could go on and on. He’s a great player! – If Salah does end up leaving Liverpool this summer then I certainly think Jurgen Klopp should consider Brentford’s number 19.”
However, it is certainly unlikely that Brentford would part ways with both of their star forwards in Mbeumo and Ivan Toney. Though the England striker is unavailable until January after breaching the FA’s betting rules, he has been linked with a move to Manchester United among other teams.
But with Liverpool potentially moving for Mbeumo before Toney receives interest in January, the Reds could gazump their rivals and leave United searching for alternatives once again. Toney has recently changed agents and dropped several hints that he would be willing to leave his current club, but if Liverpool move early for Mbeumo then they may prevent United from getting Toney.
Collymore believes that Salah could realistically depart Liverpool before the Saudi Pro League window closes on September 7, as it would be unlikely that he could resist the big-money contract offer – and Klopp won’t stand in his way.
“Of course, it all depends on what Liverpool want to do, if they’re serious about not losing him, then if recent reports are anything to go by, the player will have to push for a transfer himself,” Collymore added.
“I don’t see Salah as a disruptive type of player, but again, if reports he’s being offered £1.5million per week are to be believed, there is no way he’s turning his back on that. Who would? – But it isn’t just the money on offer that will appeal to Salah.
“There’s a huge cultural aspect to this touted move. He’s a strict muslim and let’s be honest, he isn’t a born n’ bred scouser. Yes, he will go down as a Liverpool legend but he’s a career professional that has already had several high-profile transfers in his time so why wouldn’t he move to the Middle East?”
