Liverpool will soon require a long-term, high-quality replacement for Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian King, 33, is departing at the end of the current season after Richard Hughes reached an agreement to rip up his £400k-per-week contract one year early. That leaves Arne Slot’s side short of a first-choice right-wing option – and a host of names are already in the frame.
Among those linked are Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola. Yet the Premier League champions could face serious affordability issues around either signing. With financial prudence now a non-negotiable at Anfield, a cut-price alternative has suddenly become highly attractive. Enter Francisco Trincão.
According to a detailed report in Anfield Index, Liverpool have made serious enquiries over a move for the Sporting CP attacking midfielder. Richard Hughes is understood to be a huge fan of the left-footed Portugal international, viewing him as a realistic and affordable alternative to replace Salah.
Trincão signed a new contract with Sporting last month, but a €60m (£52m) release clause remains active – a figure that now looks increasingly realistic for a club of Liverpool’s stature.
At 26, Trincão is no longer the raw prospect who arrived at Barcelona in 2020 with sky-high expectations. After mixed spells in Spain and a brief, largely forgettable loan in England, the Portuguese winger has quietly rebuilt his reputation in Lisbon. Two successive seasons of double-digit goal contributions have thrust him back onto the radar of Europe’s elite clubs, and his current form at Sporting has made him an important figure in their attacking setup.
Stylistically, Trincão is a technical, combination-heavy wide forward who thrives when receiving wide on the right before gliding infield onto his stronger left foot. He excels in tight spaces, relying on feints, body shifts and quick decision-making rather than raw pace. Unlike traditional touchline-hugging wingers who rely on volume crossing, Trincão prefers short passing links, clever dribbles and progressive carries. His game sits closer to a Riyad Mahrez profile – creating danger through ball retention, one-v-one wins inside the box, and clinical shots from the half-space.
For a Liverpool side that already possesses elite speed and directness elsewhere in the forward line, Trincão’s nuanced skill set offers a different dimension. He is not a like-for-like replacement for Salah’s explosive end product, but he represents a sophisticated, high-IQ solution that fits the possession-dominant identity Arne Slot is refining.
Sporting, of course, have Trincão tied down on a long-term deal and will demand a premium fee. Yet with the release clause already established at £52m, Liverpool are in a strong position to move decisively if Hughes green-lights the pursuit.
The timing is critical. Salah’s exit creates not just a void on the right wing but a leadership and personality gap that cannot be filled overnight. A player of Trincão’s pedigree – a full Portugal international who has matured into a consistent performer at the highest level – could provide the immediate quality and long-term security Slot’s champions need.
Richard Hughes has built his reputation on smart, value-driven recruitment. By targeting a player who has already proved himself in a top European league while still carrying a manageable price tag, the sporting director is once again showing his willingness to think outside the obvious boxes.
The Premier League has been warned. Liverpool are ready to act – and Francisco Trincão could be the man who ensures the Anfield machine never misses a beat.