Liverpool are quietly going about their business behind the scenes, in a long-term plan to establish the eventual successor to Mohamed Salah at Anfield.
The boots of the Egyptian star are set to be almost impossible to fill, such is his goal scoring and assist record – along with enviable fitness history – but Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is determined to see the transition play out as smoothly as possible.
Liverpool therefore have been linked with a long list of talent, changing on a monthly basis, as the hunt to establish the contender for Salah’s throne goes on.
One such name does continue to crop up however, in the form of Germany international Jamal Musiala, currently plying his trade with Bayern Munich.
The youngster formerly represented England at youth level, before switching allegiance on the senior international stage. Musiala has blazed a trail in the Bundesliga, breaking onto the main stage at the same time Jude Bellingham did likewise with Borussia Dortmund.
Now Musiala, who has been reportedly watched by Liverpool scouts on numerous occasions, links up each week with England captain Harry Kane in the Bayern forward line.
Recently taking the opportunity to express his astonishment at the talent level of Musiala, Kane told ESPN: “I’m playing with Jamal Musiala at the moment.
“He is pretty much English, but he chose to play for Germany. He’s an incredible player, so much talent, I would’ve liked it if he’d picked England rather than Germany.”
Musiala came through the youth ranks at Chelsea, before moving to Germany and continuing his football education with Bayern and being ear-marked as a future first team prospect.
According to Sky Germany, Liverpool are monitoring the youngster with a view to bringing him in as Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement.
In recent months Musiala has been engaged in a stand-off with Bayern regarding a new long-term contract, and the failure to get a deal rubber stamped has alerted not only Liverpool but the rest of Europe’s elite.
While Bayern still have Musiala tied down for the foreseeable, a huge offer from Liverpool off the back of potentially pocketing Saudi Arabia millions for Salah in the summer could turn heads.
The Reds ace will soon enter the final year of his Anfield deal next summer, and it has been widely reported that Saudi Arabian clubs are ready to propose a £150m deal to the Liverpool hierarchy, to acquire the services of the 31-year-old.
A quick cash switcharound to bring in Musiala would be an option afford to Liverpool and boss Klopp, though the likelihood of a bidding war encouraged by Bayern is high.
Speaking recently on the chances of Musiala arriving at Merseyside, former Liverpool star Steve McManaman said: “I would be astounded if he was allowed to leave, especially at this moment because he scored the goal to win them the Bundesliga title last season, he’s young and he offers something completely different to what Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka bring to this Bayern Munich side.
“Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham were continuously linked with English teams whilst they were playing in the Bundesliga and for me, the rumours linking him with a move to Liverpool are a bit outlandish in my opinion.”
