Turkish Super Lig titans Galatasaray have supposedly emerged as shock contenders to prise Alisson Becker away from Liverpool next summer.
While most of the Reds' contract talk has understandably been centred around Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah - all of whom could leave in 2025 - Alisson's situation is another uncertain one.
The 32-year-old - who is currently on the sidelines with a hamstring injury - has a contract at Anfield until the summer of 2027, but he has been heavily linked with an exit next summer, when Giorgi Mamardashvili will arrive from Valencia.
Saudi Pro League clubs are believed to be keen on luring Alisson to the Middle East with a lucrative deal, and he was also rumoured to be catching the eye of Bayern Munich before such talk was quashed last month.
Now, Sabah claims that Galatasaray are targeting the Brazil international as a possible acquisition for the 2025 summer window, as the Turkish side finally prepare to move on from long-serving number one Fernando Muslera.
Galatasaray to enlist Liverpool coach as Alisson trump card?
© Imago
Muslera, 38, has been Galatasaray's first-choice goalkeeper since 2011 and has now made a staggering 521 appearances for the Turkish titans, even scoring a penalty for the club in his debut campaign.
However, the Uruguay international is in the last year of his contract with Galatasaray, and he is reportedly planning to head back to his homeland in order to reunite with his family who live there.
Galatasaray are therefore scoping out possible successors to the South American, and Alisson will supposedly be high on the club's shortlist of candidates, but they will have to fend off interest from several other unnamed sides.
The Super Lig giants may have an ace up their sleeve, though, as the report adds that they will plead with Liverpool coach and former goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel to help them secure Alisson's signature next year.
Taffarel represented Galatasaray from 1998 to 2001, and 'first contact' has apparently been made with the former World Cup-winning goalkeeper, who has been 'given instructions' to persuade Alisson to move to Turkey.
Could Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher both leave Liverpool?
© Imago
Liverpool find themselves in an incredibly awkward situation where both of their first-choice goalkeepers could leave next year, as Caoimhin Kelleher's desire to become a number one elsewhere is an open secret.
The Republic of Ireland international has been in Alisson's shadow for the past few years, but he is currently shining in his superior's absence, as was the case for a good chunk of the 2023-24 campaign.
As Kelleher is unlikely to extend his deal without assurances of regular game time, a separate report has claimed that Liverpool could be open to offers to both Alisson and his number two in 2025.
Mamardashvili has every chance of becoming Arne Slot's number one when he touches down at the end of the season, while current number three Vitezslav Jaros has made his breakthrough in 2024-25 and could be promoted next year.
Ben Knapton
