Liverpool told to pay £50m to sign Serie A forward | OneFootball

Report: Liverpool Eye Ademola Lookman as Salah Contract Talks Stall

Liverpool Consider Contingency Plan Amid Salah Uncertainty

As the season approaches its final stretch, Liverpool are not just fighting on the pitch but also grappling with critical contract decisions off it. According to Tuttomercato, the club is now exploring alternatives in case Mohamed Salah departs, with Ademola Lookman emerging as a £50 million target.

Photo IMAGO

Lookman, currently with Atalanta, has enjoyed a stellar season in Serie A and remains in high demand. Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Newcastle United have all registered interest, but Liverpool could be poised to move swiftly, given their precarious contract situation.

Salah, Van Dijk and Trent Still Unsigned

It’s a strange scenario—three of the club’s core leaders, Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all heading towards the final year of their deals. Despite months of discussion, no agreement has been reached with any of the trio.

Salah’s contract, in particular, has created a sense of unease. As one of the most consistent and prolific forwards in world football, losing him—especially for free—would be a seismic blow to Liverpool’s structure and global status.

Photo: IMAGO

Lookman’s Versatility an Asset but Not a Direct Fit

Ademola Lookman, 27, is currently enjoying his most productive spell to date. With 18 goals and 7 assists so far this season, he’s shown he can operate on both wings and centrally—a trait that undoubtedly appeals to Liverpool’s data-led recruitment model.

Photo IMAGO

However, he is not a like-for-like Salah replacement. While Salah dominates from the right flank, Lookman’s success has often come when deployed through the middle or on the left.

Still, his ability to break lines, carry the ball at speed, and finish clinically could make him an intriguing option in Arne Slot’s evolving system.

Market Dynamics and Salah’s Decision Will Shape Outcome

Any move for Lookman would depend largely on Salah’s contract resolution. Atalanta reportedly value the Nigerian forward at £50 million, and with multiple clubs in pursuit, Liverpool would need to act decisively.

Should Salah renew, Lookman may be viewed as depth. If not, the Reds may be forced to pivot quickly—and boldly.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

There’s no doubting Lookman’s form. What he did in last season’s Europa League final and how he’s followed it up this campaign is impressive. But as a Salah replacement? That feels like a massive reach.

Lookman’s numbers are good, and his adaptability is a strength, but replacing one of the best right-wingers in football history with a player who doesn’t even play there regularly feels forced. Especially at £50 million. That’s not a small fee—it’s marquee money, and if the plan is to spend that, why not go all-in on a natural winger with elite pedigree?

The idea of Salah leaving on a free, after the season he’s having, is frankly a nightmare. Liverpool’s board must ensure that doesn’t happen. If Lookman’s arrival is to add squad depth or provide flexible attacking cover, fine. But if this is the long-term Salah plan, then fans have every right to feel wary.

Let’s hope this is just preparation—not Plan A.