Why Liverpool may wait until 2027 for their next big signing

Liverpool could secure 19‑year‑old FC Köln forward Said El Mala, who has contributed 18 goals across all competitions this term, but the Reds prefer to wait until 2027 before finalising any deal. The move would address the attacking void left by Mohamed Salah’s departure.

Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League last season, a sharp drop after winning the title the season before. The decline has intensified pressure on the club to revamp its attacking options.

Victor Munoz has already been recruited as part of the rebuild. The delayed signing of Alexander Isak highlighted the club’s previous deadline‑day challenges.

Liverpool missed out on Yan Diomande, who was their first‑choice replacement for Mohamed Salah. Diomande said joining Liverpool would be a dream, but he chose to pursue a move to Paris Saint‑Germain instead.

RB Leipzig proved hard to negotiate with over Diomande, prompting Liverpool to explore other targets. Among the alternatives, Said El Mala emerged as a player of ‘strong’ interest.

The German attacker is 19 years old and primarily a left winger, having contributed 18 goals this term. He featured on the right flank only once during the 2025‑26 campaign.

Caught Offside reported that Liverpool’s strategy is to wait until 2027 before committing to El Mala, reflecting a broader focus on signing younger talent. Florian Wirtz’s experience shows how young Bundesliga players can struggle to adapt to the Premier League, supporting Liverpool’s cautious approach, while Cody Gakpo’s new deal and Rio Ngumoha’s emergence further limit immediate opportunities for the German forward.