"He’s pacy and can score goals" - Ex-Liverpool man names £55m attacker as Liverpool's ideal Mohamed Salah successor

Former Liverpool forward Jermaine Pennant has identified Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane as the perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah amid speculation surrounding his future at Anfield.

Salah is currently a subject of massive interest from Saudi Arabia. According to Sky Sports, Liverpool turned down a gargantuan £150 million offer from Al-Ittihad for him during the summer transfer window.

It is believed that the Saudi Pro League side aren't taking no for an answer and will likely return with an improved offer in the winter. As it stands, it appears it is only a matter of time before the player bids farewell to the Merseysiders. Hence, it wouldn't be a surprise if Liverpool get busy in the transfer market once again.

Asked by Mirror Football who would be the ideal replacement for the Egyptian at Anfield, Pennant opted for Bayern Munich's Leroy Sane.

"Where can you go, there’s not many if any people that could replace Mo Salah,” the former Reds star said. “There’s talk of Leroy Sane at Bayern Munich, he’s really a good player. He was great at Man City and when he left Man City that was a big eyebrow raiser and he’s gone to Bayern Munich and doing the same there."

"Cuts off the left flank like Mo, he’s pacy, can score goals. So that wouldn’t be a bad shout and I’m sure you’d get him for half the price for what you’d sell to Saudi Arabia, so a little bit more money in the bank as well,” he added.

Despite rumors of his potential exit, Mohamed Salah is still delivering the goods for Liverpool this season. So far, he's played 11 games for the Reds, scoring eight goals and setting up another four.

Sane, meanwhile, has registered 45 goals and 39 assists in 146 games for Bayern since joining them from Manchester City in 2020.

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Why selling Mohamed Salah could be a good idea for Liverpool

Although Mohamed Salah remains an influential member of the squad, Liverpool shouldn't be too scared to let him go. The Egyptian will be 32 next year, meaning he's got just a few years left to spend at the top of the game.

Pocketing £150 million or more on a player who is already in his 30s is indeed a good business. Half of that money can be spent on a decent replacement that the club can count on for the future.

For instance, Leroy Sane is four years younger than the Egyptian and would only cost around £55 million. Even younger replacements can be gotten for a cheaper fee. This could be the ultimate opportunity for the Reds.