Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is Barcelona’s ‘top alternative to Erling Haaland’ this summer

Barcelona have pin-pointed Liverpool star Mohamed Salah as a potential alternative to Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Erling Haaland.

The Egypt international’s contract is set to expire in 2023 and, despite the Reds efforts to tie him down to a new deal, the club and player have yet to reach an agreement. 

Haaland remains the primary target for the Catalan giants, but they have made a shortlist of alternatives should that fall through, according to Spanish reports.

Barcelona target Mohamed Salah (left) as an alternative to Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland (right)

Mundo Deportivo has reported that if a potential deal for Manchester City target Haaland falls through, Salah is the next target in line, along with the likes of Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea targetman Romelu Lukaku. 

Polish international Lewandowksi’s contract much like Salah’s will expire in 2023 while Lukaku only just returned to the Blues last summer in a £97million deal, but his future remains unclear after a below-par campaign.

Chelsea’s future also remains very unclear following sanctions to owner Roman Abramovich and potential new owners coming in ahead of the summer transfer window. 

Mundo Deportivo reported that Barcelona will go for Salah should Haaland deal fall collapse

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is another alternative for Barcelona this summer

Along with Salah and Lewandowski, Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku is on Barcelona’s shortlist

The focus remains on Haaland, but Barca are facing intense competition from Pep Guardiola’s Man City, who are ready to splash the cash on the Norwegian – therefore Salah, Lewandowski or Lukaku could end up being first-choice options.

Although Salah is not a centre-forward, Barcelona boss Xavi is said to be fixated on using the Liverpool star as his Nou Camp No 9.

The Reds bought Salah from Roma in 2017 for £43m and the Egyptian has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best players in the world. 

Salah has won the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup and Carabao Cup during his time at Anfield. 

He has bagged the Golden Boot twice and amid his most prolific season – with a tally of 20 Premier League goals so far – he looks set to add a third to his collection. 

Salah has, however, been angling for a new deal at Liverpool since December 2020 — with his last extension coming in July 2018 — and has consistently said the outcome is in the club’s hands.

Salah has been angling for a new deal at Liverpool since way back in December 2020

He is believed to want £400,000 per week, which would make him comfortably the highest paid player in the Reds’ history.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has previously stated that he is not concerned about Salah’s contract saga.

‘It is a clear commitment for the team for this season and then we will talk about the rest – future, immediate, further. 

‘Mo is not a guy for (being distracted), not at all. If I don’t (start) him, then his mood (with me) goes down! That is possible but not against the team or whatever.’