Potential Salah replacement ‘impressed’ Ward but Liverpool won’t sign him for one reason

Julian Ward and his recruitment team at Liverpool were ‘impressed’ by Benfica winger Rafa Silva but won’t be signing him for one key reason, according to reports.

Mo Salah has one year left on his contract at Anfield with the Egypt international promising to be at the club next season despite speculation surrounding his future.

Liverpool and Salah have so far failed to agree a new contract, with the forward repeating his desire to stay at Anfield if the Reds give him what he wants.

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With Bayern Munich-bound Sadio Mane to leave this summer, the Reds have already spent big on Benfica forward Darwin Nunez in an effort to improve their side for next campaign, while Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio continues to be linked.

And Liverpool have their eye out for any potential players who could replace Salah if contract talks aren’t successful over the next year with Nunez’s former team-mate Silva on their radar.

A report in The Athletic claims:

‘Ward’s watchers were also impressed by Benfica’s Rafa Silva in the process of their research on Nunez and had the right-sided attacker been a few years younger, then maybe Mohamed Salah’s future would have become a little clearer.

‘Instead, the Portugal international — who turned 29 in May — remains in Lisbon and Salah will form part of a Liverpool forward line next season, which will pose new questions for rivals because of a redesign.’

Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas reckons losing Mane could be a “bigger blow” than Salah’s potential exit next summer.

Speaking eight days ago, Nicholas told BonusCodeBets: “Liverpool should not break the bank to give Mo Salah a new contract. I have tremendous respect for what Salah has done, but this is Liverpool Football Club. They’ve returned to the heights and Jürgen Klopp has taken them to an incredible level.

“The signing of Diogo Jota was clever. He’s not as good a player as Salah, but his goalscoring record is fabulous. I’m a massive fan of Roberto Firmino, he reminds me of Dennis Bergkamp, and I love those types of players.

“He doesn’t have the speed of movement that he once had and because of that, Luis Diaz is now in the side.

“Sadio Mané leaving Liverpool would be a bigger blow than losing Mo Salah. Whilst Salah’s goalscoring record is better, Mané does a lot more for the team.”