Mohamed Salah’s contract delay could cost Liverpool their potential £70m Premier League replacement – RTK View

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The delay over Mohamed Salah’s contract could well cost Liverpool their potential replacement in Raphinha. The Brazilian is as good as it gets.

It’s not obvious what Mohamed Salah intends to do with his future at Liverpool right now. His contract expires in 2023 and is yet to agree on a new one. In fact, the two parties haven’t discussed contracts since December, according to Fabrizio Romano.

And that’s a problem as Liverpool have a decision to make. They obviously want to keep Salah but if they can’t get him to sign a new contract, what do they do? They can get a year out of him before saying goodbye in 2023 – but for no transfer fee. Or they can cash in this summer and find a replacement with the cash.

Now, replacing Salah is impossible. He’s the best right-winger on the planet and any replacement is a step-down. Liverpool have to find someone, though – someone they believe can move up another level or two under their coaching. That’s what happened with Salah, after all.

They might even have that player in mind. UOL in Brazil claim they’ve enquired about Raphinha at Leeds United – far from the first link there.

Salah’s contract delay puts that transfer at risk, however.

Mohamed Salah delays Liverpool decision

If Liverpool knew that Salah wanted out, they could push forward with Raphinha and get the deal done. But it’s hard to believe they’ll sign him should the Egyptian remain at Anfield.

There simply wouldn’t be room – Salah, Sadio Mané, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz all offer world-class depth in the wide positions. They can’t all play in a system with two wingers, let alone if Raphinha joined.

Thus it only makes sense to sign him if someone leaves – and the most likely there appears to be Salah. Though Mané’s contract also expires in 2023, we should say.

Liverpool must wait to see what happens with their contracts before moving for a replacement. However, they’re not the only ones chasing Raphinha – Barcelona supposedly have an offer ready, too, per Sport.

As Liverpool wait, the Catalonians could push on and complete this transfer. So what happens then if either Salah or Mané decide to move on? The Reds wouldn’t have who is supposedly their preferred replacement.

These massive decisions need sorting soon if Liverpool are to prepare properly. Hopefully, we hear something in the coming weeks.