Bazoumana Touré Emerges as Liverpool’s Preferred Candidate to Succeed Mohamed Salah

Liverpool have accelerated their search for Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor and, according to Sport Bild, have zeroed in on Hoffenheim’s rapid-rising winger Bazoumana Touré. With Salah set to leave Anfield this summer, Arne Slot’s recruitment team have identified the 20-year-old Ivorian as the leading target to fill the void on the right flank.

Touré’s breakthrough 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign has turned heads across Europe: two goals and 11 assists in 24 league appearances have underlined his creativity and end product, while his direct dribbling and fearless approach have drawn admiring glances from the Premier League’s heavyweights. Liverpool scouts were present during Ivory Coast’s 1-0 victory over Scotland last month and returned glowing reports on the attacker, who has already amassed five senior international caps since his October 2025 debut.

The winger’s stock rose further at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored twice in three outings to help the Elephants to a strong tournament. With a World Cup on the horizon, Touré is poised for a starring role on the global stage, adding extra incentive for Liverpool to secure his signature before the competition kicks off.

Hoffenheim, who paid Hammarby IF €10 million to bring Touré to Sinsheim in February 2025, are bracing for a summer exodus should they fail to secure European qualification. A fee in the region of €40 million is now being mooted, a four-fold increase in less than six months that reflects the youngster’s meteoric ascent.

Yet Liverpool face stiff competition. Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are all monitoring Touré’s situation, setting the stage for a potential bidding war once the window opens. For now, Anfield officials are pressing ahead with due diligence, hopeful that swift action can land them the dynamic wide man they believe can help usher in a new era post-Salah.