Mohamed Salah reality clear as Liverpool facing $110m transfer fee for replacement

Liverpool has been given extra incentive to tie down Mohamed Salah to a new deal after discovering the release clause of one of his replacements.

The Reds are yet to resolve the Egyptians long-term future as his contract winds down to its final eight months, but appear to remain relaxed over the situation, even if time is not of the essence.

But with no guarantee Salah will stay, the club has also had to take measures and start planning for a future without him, with a list of potential replacements for the 32-year-old being drawn up in case of their worst fears coming true.

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That's according to Anfield Watch, which also states that West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus is among the list of names who are deemed suitable to succeed Salah next summer.

However, the report adds that a $110million (£85m/€102m) release clause in his current deal will become active at the end of the current campaign, meaning Liverpool will have to dig deep into its pockets if it wants to bring the Ghanaian to Anfield.

Capable of playing anywhere across the front three, Kudus has impressed during his time in east London - even if he has had a slow start to the season with two goals and one assist in 10 games across all competitions.

During his debut campaign in 2023-24, however, the 24-year-old grabbed 14 goals and six assists for the Hammers following his (£38m/€44.5m) switch from Ajax, where he recorded 39 goal involvements in 87 games for the Amsterdam side.

But despite his growing reputation and undeniable talent, Kudus won't come cheap for the Reds and, despite having to fork out on his astronomical wages, renewing Salah's contract will still remain the cheaper option for Liverpool.

The Egypt international is believed to be earning $454,000-per-week (£350,000/€420,000) at Anfield and will likely need this raised to around $518,000-per-week (£400,000/€480,000) in order to keep him at the club. Salah has major offers from Saudi Arabia, yet has stated he is settled on Merseyside as things stand.

Should the worst outcome happen and he leaves at the end of the season, then Liverpool at least knows what it must pay to find a suitable replacement for the winger, and even then there's no guarantee it will capture its first-choice target.