Paul Merson has risked the wrath of Arsenal fans by suggesting that Liverpool use any potential money from the sale of Mo Salah to sign Bukayo Saka.
Liverpool reportedly turned down a £150 million offer for 31-year-old Salah from Al-Ittihad on deadline day, but with the Saudi transfer window set to remain open for another few weeks, another bid could be imminent.
There have been suggestions that the Saudi Pro League club could come back in with a £200 million offer for the Egyptian, and that kind of valuation could well prove too good for Liverpool to turn down.
If it is, then Merson feels that the 21-year-old Saka is the the ideal heir to Salah's Anfield throne, with the ex-Arsenal midfielder suggesting that Liverpool should make a big offer in January.
Paul Merson picks ideal Mo Salah replacement
"Do they sell him [Salah] for £200 million and then in January see if they can get Saka from Arsenal for 150?" Merson pondered aloud on Soccer Saturday.
"I'm thinking one person's 31, if I can get 200 million, whose the next one in line? Who's going to be the next big thing on the right wing?
"It's definitely Saka, he's the best right winger about, after Salah. If you were Liverpool, you're trading in someone who's a little bit older for someone who's younger. I think they'd go and rock the boat with Arsenal."
"Do they sell him for £200m and then in January see if they can get Saka from Arsenal for 150?" 👀
"He's the best right winger about after Salah!" 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/6yfKmK21wj— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 2, 2023
Arsenal through and through
While Arsenal fans won't like to hear their former player putting ideas in Liverpool's heads, the Merseyside club would be mad not to consider Saka, if they happened to have £200 million burning a hole in their pockets from a Salah sale.
Recently crowned the PFA Young Player of the Year for his performances last season, Saka is without doubt one of the most exciting young talents playing in Europe right now.
The Londoner is Arsenal through and through, having come up through their Hale End academy, and one would assume that he would love nothing more to stick around and win trophies with the Gunners.
However, money talks in football, and a £150 million would have to be considered, even if it came from a Premier League rival club.
Having just missed out on the league title last season, a big offer for their prized asset would certainly be a test of Arsenal's resolve and ambition.
