Liverpool’s search for Mohamed Salah’s successor leads to Porto’s William Gomes
Liverpool may have spent more than £160 million reshaping their attack, but one important question remains: who can provide a natural, long-term presence on the right wing after Mohamed Salah? A new name has emerged from Portugal, where Porto’s highly rated Brazilian forward William Gomes is reportedly attracting the attention of Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward.
The potential move could offer a solution to a gap in Liverpool’s forward line, but it would come at a premium. Porto recently renewed Gomes’s contract and raised his release clause to €100 million—around £84.6 million—making clear that any interested club would need to meet the full figure. For Liverpool, the transfer prediction is therefore as much about financial priorities as it is about finding the right player.
Liverpool’s attacking options remain unbalanced
Liverpool invested heavily in their forward line during the summer, bringing in French attacker Bradley Barcola for a reported £125 million and Spanish winger Victor Munoz for £35 million. The arrivals were intended to strengthen manager Andoni Iraola’s attacking options and help the club move on from Salah’s departure.
However, the new signings have not entirely addressed the squad’s most obvious positional need. Both Barcola and Munoz are most comfortable operating from the left, where Liverpool already have Cody Gakpo and promising youngster Rio Ngumoha. That concentration of options could leave Iraola with fewer specialist choices on the opposite flank.
Modern forwards often switch sides or move into central positions, so a player’s preferred wing does not always dictate where he can contribute. Gakpo and Munoz may be able to cover on the right when required. But relying on makeshift solutions across a long season can limit tactical flexibility, particularly when Liverpool face opponents who defend deep or target the space behind an attacking full-back.
The club’s unsuccessful late-window attempts to recruit Ismaila Sarr and Yankuba Minteh further underline the need. With the January transfer window opening on 1 January, Liverpool could revisit the market for a direct, right-sided attacker capable of stretching defences, creating chances and offering a reliable goal threat.
Why William Gomes has caught Liverpool’s attention
According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, William Gomes has emerged as a potential target for Liverpool. The 20-year-old joined Porto in January 2025 from São Paulo in a deal reportedly worth €9 million, or approximately £7.6 million. Left-back Wendell moved in the opposite direction as part of the arrangement.
Gomes needed time to settle into a new league and environment, but his performances have since gathered momentum. He has recorded 16 goals and four assists in 67 appearances for Porto, while his early contribution this season—two goals and two assists in eight Primeira Liga matches—suggests he is becoming a more consistent part of the team’s attack.
Those numbers offer only part of the picture. Gomes is regarded as an explosive, confident forward who can attack defenders and bring urgency to the final third. A winger with that profile could give Liverpool a different option from the left-sided players already in the squad. He would also provide Iraola with greater freedom to vary Liverpool’s attacking shape, rather than asking existing forwards to repeatedly operate outside their preferred roles.
Any assessment should account for his age and experience. Gomes is still developing, and a move to the Premier League would bring a significant step up in pressure, pace and scrutiny. Liverpool would need to decide whether his potential justifies a major transfer fee now—or whether a longer period of growth in Portugal would be more beneficial.
Porto set a steep price after renewing his contract
Porto have strengthened their negotiating position by extending Gomes’s contract until June 2031. Alongside the renewal, the club increased his release clause from €80 million to €100 million. That figure is equivalent to around £84.6 million, or $112 million, and signals that Porto have no intention of letting one of their prized young players leave cheaply.
Porto coach Francesco Farioli has described Gomes as a player who required time to adapt. In his view, the forward used his first six months to adjust, while last season revealed his ability but also showed that consistency was still a work in progress. Farioli believes Gomes has since matured, both in his performances and in the preparation required to compete at a high level.
The coach has also pointed to the winger’s commitment to training and nutrition, suggesting that his development is not limited to what he produces on matchday. Farioli said the new contract was necessary and welcomed the protection offered by the release clause. He also made clear that he would prefer Gomes to remain at Porto for several more months, describing him as an important player for the team.
That stance leaves Liverpool with a straightforward but costly route if they decide to act: meet the clause or negotiate with a club that has little financial reason to accept a reduced offer. Porto’s reputation for developing and selling top talent means they are familiar with high-profile transfer discussions, and the contract length gives them considerable control over the timing.
Julian Ward’s Portuguese connection adds intrigue
A possible move would fit a familiar pattern for Julian Ward. During his previous spell as Liverpool sporting director, Ward helped bring Luis Díaz from Porto and Darwin Núñez from Benfica to Anfield. Both transfers demonstrated the club’s willingness to look to Portugal for players with the technical quality and potential to make an impact in English football.
Interest in Gomes would represent another significant raid on the Portuguese market, but it would not guarantee a quick or straightforward deal. Liverpool must weigh his promise against the release clause, the needs elsewhere in the squad and the possibility that his best development may come with regular football at Porto.
For now, the transfer prediction remains uncertain. Gomes appears to match Liverpool’s need for a natural right-wing option, while Porto’s valuation makes the financial challenge unmistakable. If the Reds are convinced he can become a decisive Premier League attacker, the €100 million clause could become central to negotiations. If not, Liverpool may continue exploring alternatives as they search for a successor capable of filling the space left by Salah.
