Liverpool could find it more difficult to keep Mohamed Salah if offers arrive next summer.
The Reds have so far fended off interest in Salah from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad. With a second offer for the 31-year-old pending, journalist Fabrizio Romano has given his view on the state of play for his Daily Briefing.
“I expect Al Ittihad will come back with another bid for Mohamed Salah, but Liverpool are very relaxed about the situation.” says the transfer expert. “I don’t think it’s going to be something concrete or advanced – every time rumours emerged of a deal being imminent, Liverpool have, both in public and in private, always insisted that Salah is untouchable and going nowhere.
“I also think selling Salah now would be completely crazy – they have done well to rebuild their midfield this summer, so after all that work, to lose such an important player would be a real shock. At the moment Liverpool are confirming that they have no intention to let him go, but the situation could be more dangerous in 2024.
“If Al Ittihad come back for Salah next year, there will be more time for them to put together something to tempt Liverpool, and more time for Liverpool to consider the deal and look for a replacement at the level of Salah. For now, it’s unlikely or even impossible, but for 2024 it could be a different story because Al Ittihad are really in love with the idea of signing Salah
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Liverpool set for Salah battle
By now, many Liverpool supporters will have accepted that we could be watching Salah’s last season at the club.
As disappointing as that is, it will at least give us another full year of watching one of our greatest players ever. We’ve made a positive start and look set for a better campaign. If Salah is to go out, it could yet be on a real high.
Nevertheless, it also feels a shame that things may go that way. Next summer Mo will still only be 32. In the shape that he is, the Egyptian could play for Liverpool for another two, three, even four years beyond that.
Having already smashed record after record, that would allow him to go and be perhaps even the greatest this club has ever seen.
Instead, it looks likely that Al Ittihad’s rabid pursuit of Salah will win out. Sooner or later.
As long as that isn’t the ‘sooner’ half of that equation, i.e. over the next few days, then most supporters will come to terms with it.
But still, hope should remain that Salah sees exactly what he’s built at Liverpool, and stays for even longer. Until things are decided otherwise, that hope will linger. Let’s get through this next week first, though.