Liverpool and Newcastle United are reportedly prepared to go head-to-head for the signature of PSV Eindhoven attacker Johan Bakayoko. As reported by Football Insider via The Hard Tackle, the Reds are ready to launch a move for the Belgium international.
Just 21 years of age, Bakayoko is already one of the best players in Eredivisie and has been linked with several top clubs in the past. Liverpool have been linked with the fleet-footed winger in the past and are believed to be regularly keeping a close eye on him.
Bakayoko joined PSV in 2019 from Anderlecht and was promoted to the Dutch giants' senior side in 2022. He has become a key player for the Boeren since and has won four trophies including one Eredivisie title.
A left-footed right winger like Salah, Bakayoko prefers to operate from the right flank but can also play on the left and even as a number nine. He is blessed with bags of pace, flair and technique.
Bakayoko has been impressive for PSV this campaign who are sitting well clear of rivals Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie table. He has contributed six goals and three assists in 19 appearances for Peter Bosz's side this season.
The Belgian has scored 27 goals and assisted another 22 in 104 appearances for PSV till date. Liverpool are thought to be keen on Bakayoko who they view as the long-term successor to Mohamed Salah.
The Merseyside giants could lose their talisman next summer if they cannot tie him down with a new deal. With Bakayoko's deal at the Philips Stadion expiring in 2026, he looks destined for a big move next summer.
Former Arsenal star hits out at Jamie Carragher for his comments on Liverpool star
Former invincible Premier League winner Freddie Ljungberg has hit out at Jamie Carragher for his comments regarding Mohamed Salah. Carragher recently made headlines by calling Salah 'selfish' for his public statement regarding his contract situation.
Salah has made it pretty clear on a number of occasions this season that he is yet to be offered a new deal by Liverpool. Carragher slammed Salah for his comments on the situation. Ljungberg has instead slammed the pundit as well as Liverpool. The former Arsenal winger said, as quoted by The Liverpool Echo:
“I think that it is very disrespectful on the part of the club. Not as Jamie Carragher is trying to make it out to be – that it is Mo Salah who is disrespectful."
The former Sweden international added:
“Sorry, but that's bull****. If you have a player of that calibre as Salah, if you don't want to extend with him and he wants to leave – then tell him. ‘We will show you respect, you are too old and want too much. Financially, it doesn't work for us.'"
Ljungberg concluded:
“Salah is saying this because he wants to put pressure on the club to get a new contract. He wants to stay when he does that.”
If Salah indeed leaves Anfield next summer, it will be a huge loss for the club as the Egyptian is almost irreplaceable. He is arguably the best player in the world right now having amassed 13 goals and 11 assists in 20 appearances across competitions this season.