Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards eyeing £38m move for Mohamed Salah alternative

David James confident Liverpool will feature in title race

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Liverpool are weighing up a move for Rennes winger Jeremy Doku in order to provide additional competition for places at the top of the pitch, according to reports. Sporting director Michael Edwards is believed to be in the market for attacking reinforcements ahead of this month’s transfer deadline, with the Merseyside club’s existing front three struggling to live up to expectations at times last season.

Mohamed Salah led the charge for Liverpool with 31 goals in all competitions, but Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane were unable to match the 27-year-old’s output.

The former only managed to score nine times over the course of the season, which is a meagre return for a first-choice striker at a club of Liverpool’s stature.

Meanwhile, Mane found the net on 16 occasions to mark his lowest tally since the 2016/17 campaign, his first in a Liverpool shirt.

Their struggles in front of goal have led to suggestions that Jurgen Klopp could look to reshuffle his established attacking trio, with the German boss looking to mount a renewed Premier League title challenge at the next time of asking.

A number of talented players have been linked with the Reds in recent months, including the likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes and Pedro Neto of Wolves.

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However, it seems as though Edwards and Klopp have finally identified their prime target with just over a fortnight until the transfer window slams shut.

Liverpool are keen to land Doku after taking note of the winger’s impressive showings for Belgium at Euro 2020, according to Voetbal 24.

The report claims that Edwards has set his sights on the 19-year-old as he looks to follow up on the £34million signing of defender Ibrahima Konate with the addition of a new forward.

Doku joined Rennes last summer for a fee of £23m after making a name for himself in his home country with Anderlecht.

He went on to hold down a regular starting berth for the Ligue 1 outfit, making 44 appearances in all competitions and chipping in with 12 goals and assists in the process.

It is said that Rennes would be prepared to sell Doku for around £38m in a move that would see them make a healthy return on the forward.

The man from Borgerhout is often deployed on the right flank that is currently occupied by Salah at Liverpool, but he can also feature on the left when required.

The Anfield club tried to sign Doku back in 2018, but the six-time European champions ultimately failed to secure his services as he eventually chose to remain with Anderlecht.

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“People from my block told me to go,” Doku told Sport Magazine when asked to explain his decision last year.

“They told me I might not have another opportunity [but] I see things differently. If Liverpool want me at 15 and I confirm with the pros, Liverpool will come back later.

“There were other interested clubs. We also visited Arsenal and Ajax. My parents were encouraging me to go.

“It was my decision to stay. I wasn’t ready. I wanted to continue enjoying myself, to play with my friends.”

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