Lille forward Nicolas Pepe has been included on Liverpool’s shortlist of possible successors for attacker Mohamed Salah, according to Le 10 Sport.
The French outlet claims that the 23-year-old, who has burst onto the scene with 20 goals and 14 assists in 35 games this season, has impressed the Reds board amid concerns over Salah’s future.
The report states that if a phenomenal offer was submitted for the Egyptian that Liverpool could be tempted to part ways with a player who is key to Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Other European giants are also thought to be interested in Pepe, with Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Barcelona all mentioned here.
OPINION
At this point in time we probably have to take these Salah rumours with a pinch of salt. There’s been no indication that Salah genuinely wants to move away from Merseyside or that he’s interested in playing for anyone else. However, if he were to somehow leave the Reds, Pepe would be a tremendous replacement. Obviously you’re never truly going to be able to replace someone as good as the inimitable Egyptian, but Pepe is a decent shout. He’s young, he’s been performing incredibly well and he would fit in with the Reds’ style of play. He typically operates on the right wing and drifts inside to find the back of the net with regularity, which is exactly what Salah has done so well throughout his time at Anfield. Clearly the competition for Pepe would be fierce, but he would be an extremely good signing for Liverpool were Salah to ever leave the club. However, don’t put any money on that happening anytime soon.
