"He could be a great replacement for Mo Salah" - Jermaine Pennant backs Liverpool to make audacious move for Barcelona star
Jermaine Pennant has urged Liverpool to consider Barcelona winger Raphinha as a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah. The former Reds winger believes that the Brazilian can be as good as the Egyptian and perform well in the Premier League.
Speaking to Tribal Football, Pennant stated that Raphinha is a brilliant player when he is fully fit and could be a good pick for Arsenal too. He said:
"He's just come back from an injury, so he's probably a little bit off the boil. But when he's fully fit, we've seen what he can do. He's prolific. He knows the back of the net, when he's match-fit and sharp. I think all-round he is probably better than Havertz, though they're similar players in style. I just think he acts a little bit quicker and better around the box and I think he will fit in just like a glove at Arsenal."
However, he wants Liverpool to sign the former Leeds United star and said:
"I think Raphinha could be a great replacement for Mo Salah if he decides to leave Anfield. There was a link with him a few years ago and now, playing at Barcelona he just a new player. He's found a new lease of life. He scored a hat-trick against Bayern Munich and followed it up with a great goal against Real Madrid."
"He's technically good like Mo Salah, so I think that could be an option. He's already proven himself in the Premier League and that was in a struggling team like Leeds. Just imagine when he's in a team like Liverpool who create a lot of chances and are always at the front end of the pitch. Judging from what we saw from him when Arsenal played Bayern Munich and he was on fire, I'm thinking; if you can do that against Arsenal and you can do that against a Premier League top team, then definitely I'd be looking to have you on board."
Raphinha has been in fine form for Barcelona this season and also scored in El Clasico against Real Madrid. He has scored four goals and provided one assist in three UEFA Champions League matches, while scoring six and setting up six in 11 LaLiga games.
Mohamed Salah to leave Liverpool at the end of the season?
Mohamed Salah is in the final year of his contract at Liverpool and is yet to pen a new deal. The Egyptian winger has hinted that his time at Anfield could come to an end next summer.
The Reds are yet to offer a new deal to the star man and he has garnered interest from the Saudi Pro League. Reports suggest that Salah was a target for SPL clubs in the summer of 2023, but Liverpool rejected a bid of around £100 million.
PSG are also said to be interested in signing Salah next summer. Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also in the final year of their contracts at Anfield. It will be interesting to see how Liverpool deal with the uncertain futures of three of their best players.