Although the 2025/26 season still has months to run, transfer planning for top players often begins long before the final whistle of the last match. For elite talent, most of the groundwork is laid months in advance, with only contract fine-tuning completed once the window opens.

Is it time for Salah to move on?

One player likely to make headlines this summer is Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool talisman recently caused a stir with a public outburst suggesting someone at the club was ready to blame him for their struggles.

On the field, Salah’s numbers this season — four goals and six assists in 18 Premier League appearances — leave room for criticism. At £400,000 per week and turning 34 this summer with just a year left on his contract, the timing may be right for Liverpool to consider cashing in.

Easing Salah out of Anfield now could secure a reasonable transfer fee, but the bigger challenge for Liverpool is finding a player capable of filling his shoes.

The Nico Williams debate

One name often discussed as a potential Salah successor is Nico Williams of Athletic Club. The 24-year-old impressed internationally alongside Lamine Yamal and was nearly signed by Barcelona, though he opted to remain at San Mamés.

Unfortunately, Williams has been sidelined with a severe groin issue (pubalgia), and Athletic have ruled him out indefinitely, preventing any meaningful evaluation ahead of a potential transfer. Both Barcelona and Arsenal have been alerted that Williams could move this summer, but persistent injury problems make it risky for any club to invest heavily without seeing him fit.

Even if healthy, Williams faces stiff competition. Barcelona already have Lamine, Raphinha, and Marcus Rashford in wide positions, while Arsenal rely on Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. Liverpool could also look elsewhere, with names like Jarrod Bowen or Bradley Barcola circulating as potential targets.

Williams’ record

Looking at past seasons, Williams’ stats raise doubts. In 29 LaLiga matches last season, he recorded just five goals and five assists. Previous campaigns tell a similar story:

• 2021/22: 34 games, no goals or assists
• 2022/23: 36 games, six goals, four assists
• 2023/24: five goals, 11 assists

While his dribbling and pace are strengths, end product remains inconsistent. Over the past two seasons, he completed 177 take-ons from 501 attempts, won 264 possessions (only 57 in the attacking third), and lost possession 1,090 times. Crossing and passing accuracy have also been inconsistent, hovering around mid-70%.

At 24, Williams still has room to develop and could benefit from Liverpool’s environment, but the gaps in his game are significant.

A risky replacement

Liverpool face a dilemma: Salah’s departure may be inevitable, but replacing him with Williams carries risk. Despite stylistic compatibility with Arne Slot’s system, the Spaniard lacks the experience, consistency, and output needed to immediately replicate Salah’s influence.

For a club in transition and under pressure to compete at the highest level, the gamble of entrusting Salah’s role to Williams could prove costly. While he remains a talented prospect, the Merseyside outfit would be taking a huge leap of faith if they make him their direct successor.