If Liverpool opts against extending Mohamed Salah’s contract, it will undoubtedly be a tough pill for fans to swallow. An overshadowing question looms at Anfield: Why are contracts for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold still up in the air? All three stars are set to have their contracts expire next summer, and by rule, they could start negotiating with foreign clubs from January if no new deal is secured with Liverpool beforehand.
What’s Behind the Stalemate?
The current impasse has raised eyebrows. Salah’s previous contract, signed in 2022, made him Liverpool’s highest-paid player, with a base weekly salary of £350,000, and nearly £1 million a week when factoring in endorsements. Last summer, Al Ittihad, a Saudi club owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), offered up to £150 million for him, but the transfer didn’t go through. Salah stayed in Merseyside, where he’s netted 56 goals in 96 appearances since his last contract renewal.
Despite new Sporting Director Richard Hughes reaching out to Salah’s representative, Ramy Abbas, no talks on a new deal have begun. This delay is surprising, especially given the recent upheaval with managerial and director changes.
Salah’s Thoughts
Since winning the Premier League in 2020, Liverpool has added three more domestic trophies to their cabinet, though Salah played a diminished role in finals due to injuries. During this period, Liverpool narrowly missed out on further league and Champions League titles.
Salah, reflecting on this time, is determined to focus on achieving further success rather than dwelling on the past. He’s also curious about how things will evolve under new coach Arne Slot and in the era following Jürgen Klopp.
Salah’s stance is more relaxed compared to the summer of 2022, when it seemed a departure was imminent. This time, however, both parties face a tighter timeline before Salah’s contract expires.
The Financial Landscape
If the issue is primarily financial, Liverpool might struggle to compete with Saudi Arabian clubs. Al Ittihad remains interested in Salah, but the potential deal would be pricey. Karim Benzema’s £172 million three-year contract with Al Ittihad highlights the immense financial resources of Saudi clubs.
Liverpool’s Stance
In 2022, Sporting Director Julian Ward traveled to Greece to finalize Salah’s contract. Most crucial negotiations involved Fenway Sports Group (FSG) President Mike Gordon. With Hughes replacing Ward and Gordon stepping back from daily operations at Liverpool, it will be intriguing to see if Michael Edwards, now “Football Executive” at FSG, will take part in discussions with Salah.
Salah’s age also plays a critical role. FSG prioritizes financial sustainability and generally hesitates to offer long-term contracts to players over 30.
Salah’s Significance to Liverpool
Should Liverpool choose not to renew Salah’s contract, it will be a difficult decision for the fans. Finding a replacement for a player with Salah’s consistent scoring ability is no small feat. Even in what some might consider an off-season for Salah, he still managed to score at least 25 goals.
If Salah does leave, fan reactions will largely depend on his destination. A move to a Saudi Arabian club might be more palatable, but a transfer to another European team—particularly a Premier League rival—could provoke less understanding.
Salah’s future remains uncertain. Whether Liverpool can retain their star player will depend on numerous factors, including Salah’s ambitions, Liverpool’s financial capacity, and competition from other clubs.
