Liverpool signed Luis Diaz in the transfer window but what does that mean for Mohamed Salah and his contract? The Reds took a risk.
The transfer deadline passed last night with Liverpool having completed one transfer across the window – Luis Diaz. The Colombian joined from FC Porto for a fee that could climb to £49m.
It’s an exciting transfer for Liverpool. Diaz is a player who exploded in 2021, becoming one of the most promising wingers on the planet. An incredible Copa America preceded a sensational campaign with Porto that saw Diaz bag 14 goals in 18 games from the left wing.
Clearly, Liverpool have someone special here but it does raise one question. What about Mohamed Salah and his contract now?
Luis Diaz transfer puts Liverpool focus on Mohamed Salah
Salah has 17 months left on his contract, making this summer a massive one. After all, there will be pressure to sell the Egyptian if he doesn’t sign a new one. The idea of losing him for nothing in 2023 is incomprehensible.
Salah is so important to Liverpool, too, that his contract will necessarily affect transfer plans. Can the Reds afford to spend lots of money now when they might need to replace the world’s best right-winger in six months?
Well, apparently, they can. Liverpool committed to at least £37m on Diaz, a player who operates on the opposite flank to Salah.
But if he were to leave, Liverpool would need to spend a lot of money to replace their right flank, too. The ‘sensible’ option here was undoubtedly to wait on Diaz just in case the Reds require a massive spend to replace Salah.
This transfer feels like a risk, then. There’s no guarantee that Salah remains beyond this season but Liverpool just spent big – for them, at least – on a forward to play with the Egyptian, rather than cover him.
At best, it’s a sign that Salah will re-sign with Liverpool. At worst, it’s a risk that could make the summer even more diffuclt.
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