Expert: Salah to play key role as Liverpool plan to accept 'huge' offer for his teammate

Cody Gakpo is the latest Liverpool star to be linked with a move away this summer and Arne Slot may be prepared to let him leave Anfield.

The 26-year-old has struggled to impress so far this season and has scored just six goals in 27 Premier League appearances during what has been a difficult season.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that any deal will likely depend on whether Mohamed Salah is allowed to leave Anfield.

After last summer’s chaotic overhaul, the Reds are determined to avoid making the same mistake and hope to keep the majority of their squad together.

It is unlikely that more than one star attacker will be shown the exit door this summer despite Liverpool looking to sign a new winger, with multiple options on their radar.

Liverpool could accept ‘huge’ Cody Gakpo offer

Football Insider revealed on 21 February that Liverpool are reluctant to let Gakpo leave and will only do so if they already have a replacement lined up.

Should Salah leave the club this summer, they will enter the market to replace him as well, and therefore a deal for Gakpo will not take place as they plan to avoid an overhaul.

“Gakpo is somebody who could have left last summer,” Brown told Football Insider.

“He was one of a few players who were spoken about, these attacking players at Liverpool who haven’t quite been as impressive as Slot may have hoped.

“He ended up staying, but his performances this season haven’t done much to change the opinion that he might be a bit below the level they hope for.

“In that case, if a huge offer comes in from somewhere like Bayern Munich, then I’m sure they’ll listen and be prepared to let him move on.

“The problem is, Mohamed Salah is going to play a big part because there’s a big chance he could leave Liverpool and they won’t want too much change.

“After everything that happened last summer and the chaos of it all, I can’t see Liverpool letting more than one attacker leave, otherwise it just adds to the unsettled feeling.

“So a lot will depend on what happens with Salah. If he leaves, I expect they’ll keep Gakpo, and if he stays then maybe Gakpo will go instead.”

What is next for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool?

Salah’s future at Anfield remains up in the air as Saudi Pro League clubs continue to plot moves to lure him away from Merseyside when the transfer window opens.

Saudi interest has not faded, with clubs in the Middle East keen to hand him a mega deal to make him the face of the league after missing out previously.

Brown told Football Insider on 5 March that Salah is edging closer to leaving Liverpool with the club now prepared to accept big-money offers at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old has failed to live up to the lofty expectations he has set for himself this season and there is now a feeling he could be allowed to move on.

A previous bust-up Slot is also believed to be impacting his future, and despite both parties having put their differences aside, concerns have lingered.

The post Expert: Salah to play key role as Liverpool plan to accept 'huge' offer for his teammate appeared first on Football Insider.