Updated: 27 May 2026 17:15 BST |
5 min read
Liverpool could be given a pathway to signing a Mohamed Salah replacement by signing one of the best young wingers on the planet after a twist who could be available this summer.
Salah will leave a significant hole in Liverpool’s team upon his departure this summer, having topped the club’s scoring charts in all but one season since his arrival in 2017 and Arne Slot’s side have already explored a number of big-money successors.
Yan Diomande is believed to be Liverpool’s top target but it remains to be seen whether RB Leipzig open the door to a €100 million transfer, while the likes of Bradley Barcola and Anthony Gordon are also being considered.
But an intriguing option could emerge after Juventus admitted they need to sell players this summer, which could lead to significant interest in wonderkid forward Kenan Yildiz.
Juve director Damien Comolli this week revealed that the club’s transfer plans will need to be adapted after the Serie A giants missed out on Champions League football for next season.
Comolli revealed that an additional player would need to be sold and, while the Frenchman explicitly stressed Yildiz would ‘certainly not’ be the star to leave, a tantalising offer from Liverpool could force Juve’s hand in the market.
Kenan Yildiz: Liverpool’s new Mo Salah, Luis Diaz and club talisman
Yildiz netted a team-high ten goals and six assists during the recent campaign but the 21-year-old’s output suffered as Juve struggled to find consistency in the second half of the season.
Juventus consider Yildiz their talisman and have no desire to part ways with the Turkish international, particularly after he penned a new contract in February, tying him to the club until 2030.
But, with the club needing to raise money through sales, Juventus may struggle to generate significant interest in their under-performing stars and the sale of Yildiz cannot be ruled out despite Comolli’s insistence otherwise.
The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid have also held a long-standing interest in the youngster but a move to Anfield could give Yildiz the perfect pathway to the Premier League and Champions League football.
Liverpool will also be considering a change in style that could see their emphasis switch to the left-wing, having relied on the right-hand side during Salah’s time at the club.
However, Liverpool have often been lacking quality on the left since the sale of Luis Diaz last summer, who has gone onto have an exceptional debut season at Bayern Munich, while the inconsistent Cody Gakpo has left much to be desired back at Anfield.
Crucially, data analytics firm SciSports believe Yildiz to have a higher ceiling than Diomande, Gordon and Barcola and being the only left-winger to come close to potential ability of Diaz, who is considered to be the best-performing player in the world.
Liverpool are also seen as a strong club fit for Yildiz and the prospect of replacing Salah as the Merseyside outfit’s new iconic star may tempt the forward into leaving Juve.
Yildiz has an Expected Transfer Value (ETV) of €75.6m but it is likely that Liverpool would have to make an offer close to €100m to get Juventus’ attention.
However, considering the player’s age, €100m could prove to be a shrewd deal to sign a player that could replace Salah’s role in the team while also having the potential to even emulate the Egyptian’s success at the club.
It remains to be seen whether a move for Yildiz will be explored but, with Liverpool pushing to sign a new forward this summer, Juventus could be braced for a uneasy approach for their crown jewel.
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