Mohamed Salah‘s rift with Arne Slot is not fully over, according to one Liverpool journalist, who believes a gentleman’s agreement could be place for a summer exit.
Salah has joined up with the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and as a result may not return to Merseyside until late January.
The timing of his departure to Morocco could be viewed as either ideal or particularly awkward given the situation that unfolded in recent weeks.
But having returned to the side with an excellent performance off the bench last time out against Brighton there were at least signs of a restored relationship with Slot.
However, the Mail‘s Lewis Steele explained on a live Q&A on Wednesday that Salah is “still agitated and frustrated” and suggested that a gentleman’s agreement could be reached on a summer transfer.
Liverpool don’t want to sell in January; Saudi clubs “lurking”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah (R) applauding the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“The rift is certainly not over as far as I’m aware. It’s certainly been eased in the last week, but it’s still there,” Steele said.
“The Saudis are still lurking, MLS clubs are still sort of looking at the situation.
“But I wouldn’t be surprised if Salah and Liverpool shook hands on maybe a summer exit. It would be the last chance that they have to get any money for him.
“I always thought in 2023 when Al-Ittihad offered £150 million that Salah never really shut the door on a future move to Saudi Arabia, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he does end up there at some point in the next 18 months now.
“I think no one at Liverpool wants him to go in January, no one can foresee him going in January, but we can’t completely rule that out. Personally, I don’t think it will happen.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 13, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Mohamed Salah during the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If the discord between player and head coach continues, an informal agreement over a summer transfer may prove the best eventuality for Liverpool.
That would allow Salah to park his frustrations and produce a send-off worthy of his career at Liverpool while paving the way for what could be a bank-breaking move to the Middle East.
Al-Hilal, Al-Qadsiah and Neom SC have all been credited with an interest from the Saudi Pro League and all three clubs would bring a different appeal.
Meanwhile the possibility of a switch to MLS could attract Salah who has seen the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez thrive at the tail-end of their careers in the United States.
Salah still has just over 18 months left on the deal he signed with Liverpool back in April, and the hope will be that he returns from AFCON and turns out at Anfield again at least for another half-season.