The reasons Liverpool won’t replace Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane with current La Liga star player

One name has been linked to Liverpool in recent months by a few different media outlets — Sports Illustrated is one of them — to replace Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in January during the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Former Bournemouth forward Arnaut Danjuma is claimed to be high on Liverpool’s transfer wishlist. The forward joined Villarreal in August for £21 million. Danjuma’s transfer to Villarreal came after a brilliant season in the Championship for Bournemouth as he scored 17 goals and seven assists in 35 Championship regular season and playoff matches.

Danjuma is under contract at Villarreal until 2026 and his transfer fee would likely cost Liverpool anywhere between £25m and £40m.

Fabrizio Romano, a so-called transfer specialist, claims Liverpool want to sign Danjuma. Yet, based on the way Liverpool have operated in recent seasons, there is no reason for the club to sign Danjuma in the winter transfer window for a large sum.

If Liverpool are so enamoured with Danjuma, as it is said they are, then why didn’t Liverpool sign him in August when they could have potentially swapped Harry Wilson for the Dutchman? With the wheeling and dealing Liverpool and Bournemouth had done previously, a transfer could have been sorted out.

Danjuma has started life well in La Liga with Villarreal, although the team isn’t playing the best football under Unai Emery. He has five goals and one assist in 11 La Liga games. Liverpool may like Danjuma as a player, but not long ago, it was reported Liverpool wanted to sign Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, who is another promising winger. Yet, a deal never occurred. Liverpool being linked to Danjuma reminds me of the Jarrod Bowen rumours from last summer.

Liverpool are unlikely to sign any players to replace Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane this winter. Why? For one the cost will be too high in January. Secondly, Salah and Mane are only going to miss a few matches at most and Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino are likely to step in. Finally, the price for Danjuma will be far more than the £21m Villarreal paid for him.

While some fans and pundits do not believe the duo is capable of providing cover, they have shown so far this season they can deliver for Liverpool when called upon. There is no reason for Liverpool to panic and sign Danjuma for a month’s worth of games.

Villarreal are in no financial trouble and compared to other La Liga teams, are one of the best-run clubs in Spain. There is no reason for the Yellow Submarine to see Danjuma at this stage.

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