Liverpool have identified Borussia Monchengladbach winger Franck Honorat as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, according to reports. The news comes after Salah recently agreed to terminate his contract at Anfield a year early, seeking freedom to choose his next club, with Federico Chiesa also expected to depart.
Last season saw Liverpool invest over €480 million in new players, bolstering their attack with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak. While the success of these signings has varied, the club now appears to be prioritizing strengthening the wide areas, particularly with Jeremie Frimpong’s inconsistent form and fitness.
Though players like Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola have been previously linked with a move to Merseyside, Anfield Watch reports that Richard Hughes and Arne Slot are now monitoring Honorat. Liverpool staff have reportedly been dispatched to observe the Frenchman in action. Honorat, 29, differs from Salah in playing style, being a more traditional winger who focuses on delivering crosses from the right flank.
This season, Honorat has created 45 chances for Gladbach, resulting in six assists and 37 successful crosses. Official Bundesliga statistics show he has delivered 79 crosses from open play, placing him joint-fifth in the league. This crossing ability is seen as a potential asset for Alexander Isak, who Slot has acknowledged needs a dedicated provider of such service, recalling Isak’s successful partnership with Jacob Murphy at Newcastle.
Honorat began his career at OGC Nice before establishing himself at Stade Brestois from 2020 to 2023. He then moved to Borussia Monchengladbach for around €8 million, where he has scored nine goals and provided 26 assists. He signed a contract extension last summer, keeping him at the club until 2029, but indicated in March his desire to join a Champions League or Europa League competitor. He told Foot Mercato that he would be open to a move if a top European club made an offer.
While not directly comparable to Salah, Honorat could prove to be a shrewd addition to the Liverpool squad, potentially serving as a valuable depth player. His crossing ability could provide a different dimension to the attack, particularly off the bench. Gladbach’s struggles in the Bundesliga may facilitate a deal in the region of €12m-€15m, with Honorat’s Estimated Transfer Value currently at €11.4m.
