Most Seen: Reason why Madrid approached Salah about replacing Ronaldo

LIVERPOOL star Mohamed Salah was approached by Real Madrid in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit, reports claim.

Liverpool star Salah was being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, even before Ronaldo chose to quit the Bernabeu for Juventus earlier this month.

The Egypt international turned the heads of Europe’s elite by blitzing home a huge 44 goals across all competitions last year, firing the Reds to the Champions League final in the process.

And Spanish newspaper El Pais claim the Liverpool star was, through his advisors, contacted by Real earlier this summer. Los Blancos always crave football’s biggest and most-glamourous names. That was behind their pursuit of Neymar but, for now, the chances of the Brazilian leaving PSG are low. It is a similar story regarding Kylian Mbappe. The France international, fresh from winning the World Cup, wants to make history in his own country.

As a result, El Pais claim Real reached out to both Salah and Tottenham hitman Harry Kane. Both men, though, were emphatic in their responses. Real, for all their pulling power, were unable to convince either to move.

Salah chose to sign a new Liverpool contract. At the time, a happy Jurgen Klopp said: "I think this news can be seen for what it is - rewarding a person who performed and contributed greatly for the team and the club last season.

"It demonstrates two things very clearly also - his belief in Liverpool and our belief in him. "We want world-class talent to see they have a home at Anfield, where they can fulfil all their professional dreams and ambitions. We are working hard together to achieve this.”

And Kane was priced out of a move from Tottenham - whose financial demands caused Florentino Perez to baulk. Real reportedly contacted Spurs but were told it would take a bid in the region of £280million to take to the negotiating table.

Gareth Bale is expected to be their talisman this season with a deal for Chelsea's Eden Hazard also looking unlikely.The Belgium international is one of football's biggest names having established himself as a Stamford Bridge hit during his time in west London.

But Real have been quoted an eyewatering £200m from Chelsea and that, it seems, may be enough for him to stay put. But it will not be Salah, who shall lead Liverpool’s assault on the Premier League title.