Liverpool recently confirmed that Mohamed Salah is moving on, bringing an end to a legendary run at Anfield defined by trophies and a staggering number of goals. The Egyptian forward leaves a massive hole on the right wing after nine years of service, departing as the club’s third-highest scorer of all time.

Handling this transition is a huge task for the recruitment team, especially as the squad tries to stay at the top of the Premier League under Arne Slot’s leadership. While fans are hoping for a superstar signing to fill those boots, the club still have to balance that ambition with the careful financial approach their owners are known for.

Mohamed Salah’s successor

Recent reports from sources like CaughtOffside and TEAMtalk suggest that Liverpool have set their sights on Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche as their top choice to replace Salah. The Reds reportedly have the 24-year-old Frenchman at the top of their list above other big names like Michael Olise, mainly because Bayern Munich have made it clear they won’t sell Olise this summer.

Akliouche has put up solid numbers this year, with six goals and three assists in 24 Ligue 1 games, plus another goal and three assists in the Champions League. He’s comfortable playing on the right or as an attacking midfielder, a versatility that clearly caught the eye of the Liverpool bosses. Monaco are said to value their star man at around €70 million, a price Liverpool seems ready to discuss as they try to get a deal done before his contract winds down.

Will Akliouche actually live up to the hype as Salah’s heir at Liverpool?

The French international is an interesting player, though he doesn’t have the same explosive pace that Salah used to tear defences apart in his early days. Instead, Akliouche uses smart movement, great ball control, and reliable passing to make an impact from the wing. While he’s definitely creative, his current tally of seven goals this season shows he isn’t quite the 20-goal-a-year threat Salah has been.

Realistically, I expect Liverpool to make a serious push for this deal in the summer since Akliouche is a realistic target and also has the age profile they look for. They definitely need a true right winger for next season, as sticking someone like Anthony Gordon out of position would mess with the team’s balance.

Manchester United have set a €40 million price tag on this player

However, fans might need to be patient; Akliouche is more of a playmaker on the wing than a pure scoring machine. Monaco will likely hold out for a big fee, but given Liverpool’s need for a successor, this looks like the most likely move of the summer.