Liverpool are among the latest high-profile clubs interested in Palmeiras sensation Estevao Willian as they seek a replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Mohamed Salah’s contract at Anfield expires at the end of next season, and Liverpool must decide their star forward’s future sooner rather than later. The Egypt international, 31, was the subject of an eye-watering £150m bid from Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad last summer, which the Reds turned down.
The 31-year-old remains a vital player for Jurgen Klopp’s outfit, having registered 17 goals and nine assists in 25 Premier League appearances this season. However, with interest from the Saudi Pro League still there, the upcoming summer transfer window represents the last chance for Liverpool to cash in on Salah. The feeling has been that the Merseyside club would sanction their record Premier League goalscorer’s departure should they receive another big-money bid and are already looking for his replacement.
Liverpool have reportedly identified Palmeiras’ Estevao Willian as a potential replacement for Salah, who scored the equalising penalty to help Liverpool pinch a valuable point in the 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane is also one player on the Reds’ radar.
Estevao Willian primed for a big move to Europe
Estevao Willian, affectionately known as “Messinho” in Brazil, has garnered widespread attraction across the globe following his fantastic showing at the Under-17 World Cup. Despite being only 16 years old, the winger is a part of the Palmeiras first team having gained promotion to the senior team at the turn of the year. He has featured six times for his boyhood club, contributing towards a goal so far.
While Estevao can only make a move to Europe when he turns 18, clubs across Europe are keeping tabs on his progress at Palmeiras. Liverpool are aware of the competition for the teenager’s services and may look to strike a pre-contract agreement, with Mohamed Salah entering the final year of his contract at the end of the season.
Salah has been the star man for Liverpool in the last five years but his future is uncertain amid a lot of interest from the Saudi Pro League clubs. As the Saudi Pro League are totally focused on making the Egyptian the next megastar to move to the Middle East, Liverpool’s new recruitment chiefs Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have already begun working behind the scenes.
A star in the making, Estevao perfectly aligns with the Merseyside club’s transfer policy. The Reds feel the 16-year-old has the potential to replace Salah in the long run and make the right-wing spot his own. Thus, they are pulling out all the stops to secure the Palmeiras’ whizkid’s signature.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
