Mohamed Salah’s contract extension at Liverpool has brought an end to the speculations surrounding his future at Anfield. The Egyptian winger, who has been the cornerstone of Liverpool’s attack since joining from Roma in 2017, signed a two-year deal to continue his successful tenure at the club. With Salah now committed to the Reds until 2027, the news has significant implications for Liverpool’s future transfer plans, particularly with regard to Nigerian forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. While both players have been linked with moves to Liverpool, Mohamed Salah’s contract extension might influence the club’s strategy as they look to bolster their attacking options. Here’s how this development affects the futures of Lookman and Osimhen.
Salah’s Extension and Its Impact on Liverpool’s Transfer Strategy
Mohamed Salah’s future was uncertain for much of the season, with speculation swirling that he could leave Liverpool as his contract approached its final year. However, Salah has now signed a lucrative two-year extension, ending those rumours and committing to the club for the foreseeable future.
Salah’s extension could signal a shift in Liverpool’s transfer priorities. With the Egyptian star’s position secured, the club may now focus less on recruiting an immediate replacement for Salah. As a result, this could lead to a soft-pedaling of their pursuit of other attacking reinforcements, such as Ademola Lookman, whose name has been frequently linked with Liverpool due to his impressive form at Atalanta.
What Does Salah’s Deal Mean for Ademola Lookman?
Ademola Lookman, who has been one of Serie A’s standout performers this season with Atalanta, has been a player of interest for Liverpool, especially with Salah’s contract talks looming. The 27-year-old Nigerian winger has accumulated 50 goals and 22 assists in 112 appearances across all competitions, making him an attractive option for clubs looking to strengthen their attacking depth.
However, with Mohamed Salah now firmly committed to Liverpool for the next two years, the Reds may hesitate to pursue Lookman as a direct replacement. Lookman has become a key figure at Atalanta and, at this stage in his career, would likely want to secure a starting role wherever he plays. If he were to join Liverpool, Lookman would not want to be relegated to a bench role, especially after his established success at Atalanta.
That said, Lookman’s potential move to Liverpool is not entirely ruled out. If Luis Diaz were to leave the club, there could be a vacancy on the left wing, Lookman’s preferred position. This would open the door for a move, as Lookman could compete for a starting role in Liverpool’s dynamic attack. Until then, Liverpool might wait before making a firm approach for the Nigerian forward.
What About Victor Osimhen?
The contract extension for Mohamed Salah could have a more direct impact on Liverpool’s pursuit of a new striker, and this is where Victor Osimhen comes into play. The Nigerian forward, who has been in sensational form for Napoli, has attracted widespread attention from top clubs, including Liverpool.
With Darwin Nunez’s underwhelming performances this season and Diogo Jota’s injury struggles, Liverpool are in need of a potent striker to lead their attack. Osimhen, who has scored 25 goals in Serie A this season and led Napoli to a potential Scudetto, would provide a significant upgrade to Liverpool’s offensive options.
Liverpool’s focus on securing Osimhen could be strengthened by Mohamed Salah’s extension. With Salah still at the club, the team can focus on long-term solutions for their strike force, especially with Nunez failing to justify his hefty price tag. If Liverpool can move Nunez off their books in the summer, they will likely have the financial flexibility to pursue Osimhen, whose market value is estimated at around 75 million euros.
However, Liverpool will face fierce competition from Chelsea, who have emerged as one of the leading suitors for Osimhen. The Nigerian striker’s preference is still unclear, and Chelsea’s spending power could prove challenging for Liverpool. Still, Liverpool’s discreet transfer dealings may mean that they have something in the pipeline to land Osimhen, with clarity likely to emerge in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
Mohamed Salah’s contract extension at Liverpool has far-reaching consequences for the club’s transfer strategy. With Salah now committed to Anfield until 2027, Liverpool may be less inclined to pursue direct replacements for him in the short term. This development could slow their interest in Ademola Lookman, especially if Liverpool’s attacking setup remains unchanged. However, if Diaz were to leave, Lookman could still emerge as a viable option.
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On the other hand, Mohamed Salah’s extension could make Liverpool’s pursuit of Victor Osimhen more likely. With a pressing need for a new striker, Liverpool might look to offload Darwin Nunez and use the funds to secure Osimhen’s signature. Despite Chelsea’s interest, Liverpool’s discreet transfer policy could mean they have a surprise move lined up for the Nigerian star.
Ultimately, Salah’s deal has shifted Liverpool’s focus, and it will be interesting to see how this impacts their summer transfer plans, particularly with regard to Lookman and Osimhen.
