Liverpool are thought to be tracking Rennes forward Martin Terrier as they look to replace Sadio Mane.
The Senegal star has been one of Jurgen Klopp's most important players since he signed from Southampton in 2016, but it’s now looking increasingly likely that he’ll depart from Anfield this summer.
Mane, 30, still has a year remaining on his current deal, and Liverpool were hoping that they could get him to agree on an extension.
However, reports suggest the forward is now keen on a move elsewhere, with Bayern Munich the expected destination with the German champions potentially set to lose key forward Robert Lewandowski.
Based on Terrier’s form this season, it’s easy to understand why Liverpool see him as the ideal player to replace Mane.
Though not a hugely known name in England, the forward has already played for some of France’s biggest clubs including Lille and Lyon, but it’s at Rennes where he’s truly flourished.
He joined them in the summer of 2020 for a nominal fee of just over £10million. In his first season at the club, he scored nine league goals while registering a further seven assists. He’s scored over double that this season (21), with 19 of those coming from open play. That's just one non-penalty goal less than Ballon d’Or favourite Karim Benzema managed.
Away from the goals, the 25-year-old’s all-round profile should excite Liverpool fans.
The six-foot striker is a strong but also technically proficient attacker. This brings a certain versatility to his game and much like Mane he is comfortable playing at centre-forward, as a second-striker, and on the wing. It’s in the latter on the left in which he has thrived most this season.
It’s not all just about what Terrier brings going forward but also his impact without the ball. He is a key pressing trigger for Rennes and can often lead defensive moves that force valuable turnovers in profitable areas deep inside the opposition’s half. Intensity is a big part of Liverpool’s identity and much of their defending will start from the front.
Despite all of this, Terrier has largely drifted under the radar. He remains uncapped at senior level for France and is rarely spoken about in the same bracket as other top European forwards.
That won't concern Liverpool, in fact they will most likely welcome it as it could mean they could land their potential Mane replacement for a reasonable fee and without too much of a fight from other clubs.
