With the Egyptian poised to leave for Saudi Arabia next summer, there is speculation that the Reds are already looking for a good replacement.

Liverpool’s decision to reject all offers from Al-Ittihad for Mohamed Salah just before the transfer window closed has been fully vindicated, with their Egyptian king being one of the main reasons why they’re back in the Premier League’s top four and dreaming of a surprise title challenge.

While the Reds’ resistance to let the winger depart was unsurprising considering his continued significance to Jurgen Klopp’s club, the general consensus was that they were only postponing the inevitable. It’s still tough to see Salah leaving in January, no matter how much money is on the table, but next summer may be a completely different scenario.

After all, he’ll be 32 in June and has just one year left on his contract, so it makes sense for Liverpool to cash in on their talismanic attacker. Of course, even if there are some outstanding possibilities, finding a successor will be difficult.

However, one name is generating more transfer rumors than any right now: Leroy Sane. While it’s easy to see why Liverpool could see the Bayern Munich man as their perfect Salah replacement, some skepticism among supporters is reasonable.

Is he the right fit for the Reds?

But is Sane the right man to replace Salah at Liverpool, who are reportedly eager to smash their transfer record to sign Sane next summer, despite the fact that he has just one year left on his Bayern contract?

There are also obvious concerns about how his City career went off the tracks before facing similar difficulties for the entirety of his tenure in Munich. However, according to Bayern, Sane has grown and is now perfectly situated to realize his potential in his peak years. He’s always had the potential, and now it appears he’s also got the disposition. His defensive diligence has developed to the point that he is now thriving under Klopp.

Obviously, there are tactical implications as well, considering that Sane plainly requires a more liberated role. He can’t be pinned down to just one side. At Bayern, he frequently switches wings with Kingsley Coman while drifting in center areas. While Salah spends the majority of his time on the right, he isn’t confined to the sidelines. He is free to wander, and it’s worth noting that Liverpool has one of the most fluid forward lines in Europe, with players capable of playing all over the field.

But, in the end, it will come down to Sane and whether he can regain the consistency he has lacked for so long. If he does that, there’s no reason Liverpool shouldn’t make him their top transfer target.

While many continue to wish for the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, the reality is that this version of Sane is better equipped to succeeding Salah at Anfield.