Chelsea could beat Liverpool to an exciting summer deal on one condition (Image: GETTY)
have been told exactly what they must do to beat to the signing of a player who has been tipped to replace next season.
The winger is set to leave Anfield on a free transfer in the summer unless the Reds can find a breakthrough in talks over a new contract.
It has led to speculation about who could replace Salah if he departs at the end of the season, with a host of clubs in Saudi Arabia thought to be keen on snapping him up.
Johan Bakayoko has already been linked with , having excelled in PSV’s recent victory over the Merseyside giants in the Champions League. A host of other clubs, including and , have also been credited with an interest.
Johan Bakayoko wants to join a club offering Champions League football (Image: GETTY)
are said to be another potential destination for Bakayoko, but they will only be able to land the 21-year-old on one condition.
Earlier this week, he was quizzed on his future and made it clear that he would only consider signing for a Champions League team.
“I’m not going for a mid-table team,” Bakayoko told ESPN. “I will summarise it very briefly: I want to be able to become a champion, play the Champions League and play myself in the team.”
It means will need to secure a top-four finish to stand any chance of signing Bakayoko, unless he changes his stance between now and the end of the season.
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Even that might not be enough to seal the deal, though, .
“I definitely think that I can join ,” he said after scoring against the Reds last month. “We can be happy that we won against big names, but they didn’t come with the strongest team either. It’s a shame that they didn’t come with the strongest team.
“I’m in a good place. I feel the confidence of the entire club. As long as that is there, I feel good, whether I play well or badly. I would not make such a move to Saudi Arabia now, no. I would not do it, but you have to look at every situation.”
It remains to be seen where Bakayoko will go at the end of the season, with his impressive form at PSV thought to be attracting no shortage of interest. He has scored nine goals from 28 appearances in all competitions, as well as chipping in with three assists.