Liverpool eye Salah after moving on from Brandt
Liverpool are looking into a number of wide options as Bayer Leverkusen's Julian Brandt is unwilling to risk his appearances diminishing next season.
The 21-year-old, who has been scouted by the club for years and was pursued in January as well as ahead of this summer, is targeting a place in Germany’s squad for the 2018 World Cup.
He does not want to jeopardise his chances of making the cut by supplementing rather than assuming a starring role in Liverpool’s attack.
With Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho proving how destructive they can be in tandem, Brandt knows regular run-outs from the off would not be guaranteed if he transferred to Anfield as he adapts to a new country and league.
"If you make the move, there is no guarantee that you'll play," he told Focus on his future.
"I believe that it's important that I get a lot of games next season, and that is a given here at Leverkusen."
One of the candidates Liverpool are looking into to enhance their frontline is Roma’s Mohamed Salah.
The Reds have been long-term admirers of the Egypt international, who can operate across the forward line as well as an attacking midfielder.
The Merseysiders initially tried to recruit Salah in January 2014, having opened talks with Basel and the player in October the previous year.
The 24-year-old was eager to make the switch, but Liverpool had multiple offers rejected by the Swiss club, before a phone call from Jose Mourinho convinced him to choose Chelsea instead.
His £11 million transfer to Stamford Bridge ultimately proved unsuccessful before loan spells followed at Fiorentina and Roma, the latter making the transfer permanent last August.
He has been a revelation at the Stadio Olimpico, where he is the only player to reach double figures in goals (13) and assists (10) this term.
Salah, who along with Daniele De Rossi and Radja Nainggolan was the subject of a recent threat from Lazio fans, has a contract until 2019.
There are currently no discussions to extend that deal with Roma having more pressing issues at hand, although they would not be receptive to losing such an influential player - certainly not cheaply.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is of interest to Liverpool given his ability to cover a number of positions, is understood to be a more likely addition at present.
The 23-year-old will enter the final 12 months of his agreement with Arsenal this summer and the Reds are willing to pay in the region of £20m to land the England international.
Source: Goal
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