Liverpool to be stung by Mo Salah replacement option for second time after positive talks

Liverpool reportedly opened talks with Leroy Sane back in December as they considered the Germany star a potential Mohamed Salah replacement – but that move now appears unlikely

Potential Mohamed Salah replacement Leroy Sane is looks set to snub Liverpool for a second time.

Sane’s Bayern Munich contract, as it stands, will expire at the end of the season. Liverpool have been credited with interest in the 29-year-old as a possible successor to talisman Salah in recent months given the growing doubts over the Egyptian’s future at Anfield, while Sane was no closer to signing a new deal with Bayern as of January.

With Salah also set to become a free agent in the summer, BILD claimed in December that the Reds had made contact over a potential move to Anfield. But the transfer appears less likely now.

Sky Sports Germany reported this week that there have been positive talks between the German international and his current club over a possible contract extension beyond 2025. The report added that the chances of an extension have increased.

Yet it was also stated that a decision is still to be made and that Sane hasn’t received a formal offer from the Bundesliga club, with the process expected to take a few more weeks. Sane, meanwhile, is said to be determined to stay put at the Allianz Arena and will look to earn his new contract through his performances until the end of the season under Vincent Kompany.

The former Manchester City winger had admitted prior to Bayern’s Champions League clash with Feyenoord in January that teams were taking an interest in his contract situation, saying that no decision was imminent. “Of course, clubs have already asked about my situation,” he told BILD.

“But at the moment, everyone knows my attitude to the issue: I will not concern myself with it at the moment, but will concentrate on FC Bayern and try to be as successful as possible with the team. I have rarely experienced a spirit like the one we have in our team at the moment in my career.”

While Sane’s future is still not certain, it appears that his preferred scenario would see him snub likely Premier League champions Liverpool – and not for the first time. He became one of the most dangerous forwards in the Premier League at City, helping them win the title in 2017/18 as part of the ‘Centurions’.

And the silky forward revealed back in 2018 that he had the chance to join another exciting project – Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool – but turned down the Reds in favour of sky blue. When asked whether his compatriot Klopp was interested in bringing him to Anfield, Sane told the Guardian: “Yes, I was also talking with them. Jurgen was calling me too, talking to me. That was before I joined City.

“He did a good job at [Borussia] Dortmund – I met him when he was there. He’s a good guy, nice guy – honest. He [has] worked well with Liverpool.”

Klopp’s loss was Guardiola’s gain as Liverpool later became City’s fierce competitors, forming one of the greatest rivalries of the Premier League era. The young Sane initially struggled to live up to his price tag at City, but soon found his feet and began tormenting defences with his devastating pace and precise dribbling.

Yet, the German has found life difficult since recovering from an ACL injury he suffered at City, struggling to stamp down a regular starting spot and reach his previous form at Bayern since his 2020 move. And he would have an almighty task to live up to Salah’s heroics at Anfield given the 32-year-old’s astonishing form this season.

Salah has been integral to Slot’s success in the manager’s first year in England, having scored a whopping 30 goals in all competitions while setting up a further 22 in just 39 appearances. Whether he stays or not, it looks like he’ll be ending the season lifting the Premier League trophy for a second time.

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