Liverpool scout potential January replacement for Sadio Mane while forward is at AFCON

Liverpool have been scouting Wolves loanee Hwang Hee-chan ahead of a potential January swoop.

The Reds seek ‘quality cover and competition’ in the attacking areas and the South Korea international has been identified as one option.

Who is Hwang Hee-chan?

Hwang joined Red Bull Salzburg in 2015 from Pohang Steelers in his homeland.

He won five Austrian Bundesliga titles at Salzburg, with Liverpool's Takumi Minamino a team-mate, before he joined RB Leipzig in the summer of 2020.

However, Hwang struggled to make an impact for the German side. He managed only three goals in 29 appearances during two seasons and was loaned to Wolves at the beginning of the 2021-22 campaign.

But at Molineux, the 25-year-old has thrived. He's scored four goals in 10 games so far, with Bruno Lage's side sixth in the Premier League table.

Wolves' potential struggle

According to Football Insider, Wolves are keen on making Hwang's loan permanent in January, despite having a £13 million buy-out option next summer.

The Black Country outfit are claimed to be cash-strapped, though, and cannot afford such a significant outlay.

They may need to sell to raise the funds to purchase Hwang.

Liverpool's interest

It's reported that Wolves have a ‘major battle’ to retain Hwang during the second half of the season.

Liverpool have run the rule over the forward and are hoping for reinforcements for Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino when the transfer window opens in just more than a month’s time.

The Reds will lose Salah and Mane for a period in January when they head off to the African Cup of Nations to represent Egypt and Senegal respectively.

Hwang has mainly operated in a left-wing role for Wolves, which is the position Mane plays for Jurgen Klopp's side.

He is under contract at Leipzig until 2025.