Liverpool have been encouraged to target Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka as a replacement for Mohamed Salah if he heads to the Saudi Pro League.
Salah has been heavily linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer and he was the subject of a £150m bid from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad earlier this week.
Liverpool swiftly rejected this offer but it has since been suggested that the Middle East outfit are prepared to offer as much as £200m for the talented attacker.
It will be difficult to replace Salah if/when he leaves Liverpool, but Paul Merson thinks Jurgen Klopp’s side should go for Bukayo Saka.
The England international was one of the best players in the Premier League last season as he grabbed 14 goals and 11 assists for Arsenal in the top flight.
Saka recently commited his future to Arsenal until 2027 and they would demand a ridiculous fee for their prized asset if interested clubs come knocking.
Merson reckons Liverpool should at least try to sign Saka and “rock the boat” with a £150m bid.
“Do they sell him for £200million and then in January see if they can get Saka from Arsenal for £150m?” Merson told Sky Sports.
“I’m thinking right, one person is 31 and I can get £200m who is the next one in line? Who is going to be the next big thing on the right wing.
The next one in line is definitely Saka, he’s the best right winger about after Salah. If you were Liverpool you’d be trading in someone who’s a bit older for someone who’s younger.
“They should rock the boat with Arsenal and say here’s £150m for someone. What they’ve done at Liverpool at the moment is got rid of all the older midfield players and brought in all younger players.”
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Earlier this week, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness admitted that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if his former club decided to cash in on Salah.
“Obviously if he were to leave it would put an enormous dent in their hopes and aspirations for this season. Enormous,” Souness told talkSPORT.
He added: “So they’ll be thinking if they get rid of him, one, the damage it does, that’ll be an easy thing to calculate. You’re taking 20 goals plus out of your team.
“Who’s going to get those goals if he was to go? They are hard-nosed businessmen from North America. They will be thinking ‘a year from now, what sort of money would we get for Mo Salah? Would the money still be there? Could Mo Salah get an injury? Could Mo Salah have a poor season?
“So, I wouldn’t be surprised if they took the money. I’d be disappointed as a Liverpool supporter, but I wouldn’t be surprised. There’s no obvious replacement that can go and get 20 goals.”
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