Mo Salah's time at Liverpool appears to be coming to an end (Image: Getty Images)
The drama surrounding Mohamed Salah's contract situation at Liverpool shows little sign of cooling down, as does his club's Premier League title race. With Salah now in the final six months of his contract at Anfield, uncertainty looms, and although the 32-year-old has signaled his willingness to extend his tenure, signs suggest a summer exit is most likely .
Discussions are ongoing, but foreign clubs can now contact Salah directly, with one set to tempt him with a colossal contract offer. Meanwhile, Liverpool are exploring alternatives and have identified a La Liga player as a possible replacement for Salah.
Severing ties with the Egyptian striker could ultimately prove beneficial, especially given growing concerns that “something is going on” with Salah amid ongoing frustrations over stalled contract negotiations. Here, Express football delves into the most recent twists and turns of the saga.
Contract offer
While Liverpool appear reluctant to give in to Salah's contractual demands, Al-Hilal is quite the opposite. The Saudi Pro League giants, among others in the region eyeing the striker, are reportedly ready to present Salah with a tempting and lucrative offer to lure him to Riyadh.
Neymar, whose contract with Al-Hilal is due to expire at the end of the season, is set to leave this summer, with the Saudi Pro League champions eyeing Salah as his replacement. Neymar's time at the club has been torrid, with the Brazilian making just seven appearances in 18 months, and Al-Hilal is understandably eager to get his huge £1.6m-a-week salary off the books.
In contrast, Salah continues to perform at a high level, demonstrating remarkable form and fitness, even as he approaches his thirties. He has already scored 18 Premier League goals this season, matching his tally from the 2023/24 season, and has made more appearances in all competitions than any other Liverpool player.
In 2023, Liverpool turned down a big £150million offer from Al-Ittihad, but the Saudis are determined to secure Salah this time. Sky Sports report that they are ready to hand him the keys to the kingdom and make him the league's star attraction if he decides to make a move.
Salah is set to make huge money if he joins the Saudi Pro League (Image: PA)
“Something is happening” with Salah
Statistically, Salah may be in the form of his life, but questions have been raised about his attitude. Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney noted that Salah appeared disinterested after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brentford on Saturday and was the first player to head towards the tunnel at the end of the match.
“[Salah] “He doesn’t look interested,” Deeney said on talkSPORT when reviewing the match. “Notably, Salah is the first to leave the field… Something is wrong with this guy today. Whether it is something with Saudi, whether there is a movement, but he did not attend the shopping today.
“The fact that he came down the tunnel first, even though 95 percent of the team is out there partying, that says a lot to me. The whole team was partying in the corner and he was 70 yards away. It was like, “Job done, I'm leaving. Maybe there's something else going on and I'm overreacting, but it told me a lot.
Troy Deeney thinks 'something is wrong' with Mo Salah (Image: Getty Images)
Deeney also blasted Salah for his poor effort in the game, arguing that the Liverpool talisman was lucky not to have been replaced by manager Arne Slot. “He stands on the sideline and if he sprints inside, he's one-on-one every time. But he doesn't look like he wants to. I'll be really disappointed if I “I was a Liverpool fan,” the former Hornets man said. man.
“If it was anyone else he would have been taken out. Gakpo was poor today but did a lot more than Salah. Diaz came out and did a lot more than Salah. He lives off “He could mark you this goal.”
Salah has gone three matches without scoring or assisting, and his recent drought coincides alarmingly with ongoing speculation over his future.
Brahim Diaz could replace Mo Salah this summer. (Image: Getty Images)
Replacement of Salah
Liverpool are preparing for life after Salah, with the search for his replacement in full swing, and Spanish publication Fichajes claims Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz is on their radar. The Moroccan international, formerly of Manchester City, has performed well in recent times, scoring two goals and providing two assists this month.
Despite seeing regular playing time since returning from a three-year loan at AC Milan, Diaz failed to secure a permanent place in Carlo Ancelotti's starting lineup due to competition from players like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Endrick and Arda Guler. . This makes him useless for Los Blancos, and while they may not be keen to sell, a substantial offer from Liverpool could tempt them.
However, Liverpool will not have free play with Diaz, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also keeping tabs on his situation. It is unclear what price tag would be attached to Diaz, but some reports suggest it would take a bid of around £50million for Real Madrid to consider letting him leave.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2002748/Arne-Slot-Mo-Salah-Liverpool