Mohamed Salah has opened talks about leaving Liverpool to join Al Ittihad this summer, according to Santi Aouna.
The Reds winger had a record-breaking season last year as he led the team to their second Premier League title, before signing a new two-year contract in the summer to extend his stay at Anfield and put an end to speculation over his future.
However, a poor start to this season saw the Egyptian dropped from the team, which sparked a major outburst from the player towards the manager and board about his situation. That has raised more question marks over his future, and it now seems like an exit could take place this summer.
Salah In Talks to Join Al Ittihad
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah clapping
Salah, who is considered one of Liverpool's greatest ever players, was expected to leave the club in the winter window following his outburst, but held talks with the club to clear the air before heading off to the African Cup of Nations with Egypt.
Since returning to Anfield, 'world-class' Salah has started every game, but the team continues to struggle on the pitch and currently sit in sixth place in the Premier League table, five points off a top four place.
Arne Slot has confirmed that missing out on Champions League football would have a major effect on the club's financial situation, and with Salah struggling to perform, an exit could be on the cards, with Saudi clubs once again circling ahead of another transfer window.
With question marks over his future, Salah has allowed his agent to negotiate with Saudi giants Al Ittihad, who are keen to replace Karim Benzema, and the player is much more open to a move to the Middle East this summer than he was last time around.
It's understood that all parties are open to making the move happen, with Liverpool happy to take a transfer fee rather than lose him for free 12 months later too.
Liverpool Ready to Let Salah Go
mo salah
Salah's achievements at Liverpool cannot and will not be ignored going forward, but it's fair to say that the decline since last season is more than evident, and it's probably the right time for him to move on.
A move to Saudi seems to suit everyone this summer, and with talks already opened, it now looks likely to happen relatively early on in the transfer window, rather than dragging on for a long period of time.
Replacing him will be incredibly difficult, but there is plenty of time for them to make plans and identify the right candidate, and Salah is clearly well aware of what is going on this time too.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot looks worried Related
Liverpool Want to Sign £80m Premier League Forward Compared to Kylian Mbappe
Liverpool are now eyeing an £80m move to sign a Premier League forward who has been compared to Kylian Mbappe.