EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool eye Barcelona target Joao Felix as Salah replacement

Steve Kay

Updated: 27 Aug 2023 09:11 BST
3 min read

Mohamed Salah, Joao Felix, Liverpool — © ProShots

Liverpool are lining up Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah should the Anfield icon complete a summer move to the Saudi Pro League, FootballTransfers can exclusively reveal.

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Salah is being linked with a shock transfer to Al-Ittihad, who are reportedly willing to do everything in their power to attract the Egypt forward to the club.

The 31-year-old has two years to run on his Liverpool deal and there is a clear appetite from manager Jurgen Klopp and his staff to retain the services of a player who will go down as an all-time Liverpool great.

MORE: Carragher reveals price he'd sell Salah for

But there remains a possibility that Liverpool are offered a transfer fee that they cannot refuse for Salah.

Al-Ittihad are set to make a £100 million offer for Salah that is set to severely test Liverpool’s desire to keep the attacker. The Saudi Pro League club’s tactic is to try to draw the Reds into making a snap decision over the attacker.

FootballTransfers understands that Liverpool, whose public line is that they have no intention of selling the superstar, are indeed drawing up contingency plans should Salah leave, with Joao Felix, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Chelsea a player that they are considering.

MORE: Liverpool beware! Saudi Arabia are 'obsessed' with Salah signing

Joao Felix transfer latest

Joao Felix’s future is subject to intense scrutiny in Spain, meanwhile.

The attacking midfielder has made it clear that he wants a change of club, with Barcelona seeking a way to sign the 23-year-old. This would likely be a loan deal, with reports in Spain stating that Barca are in position to pay the player’s wages.

Similarly, there is also a threat that the Saudi Pro League could snap the player up. AS reports that Al-Hilal are poised to sign the attacker on loan should a deal for Barcelona fail to materialise.

Liverpool, though, could well become a third option for Felix after he scored four in 20 appearances for Chelsea earlier this year.