Liverpool have been handed a crucial update on the future of club legend Mo Salah while Slot has discussed a major departure for the Reds
Mo Salah warms up for Liverpool
Mo Salah could be on his way out of Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool may be bracing themselves for another summer of upheaval, if recent speculation surrounding Mo Salah proves accurate. The Reds experienced a pre-season characterised by extravagant expenditure.
Alexander Isak arrived as a deadline day signing, moving to Liverpool from Newcastle for an eye-watering £125 million. His transfer came after the acquisition of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116.5m.
Additional outlays included £79m on Hugo Ekitike, £40m on Milos Kerkez, £29.5m on Jeremie Frimpong and £26m on Giovanni Leoni, bringing the total to an astonishing £446m. However, this campaign has fallen short of expectations, with the reigning Premier League champions struggling to keep pace.
Whilst the prospect of another transfer-heavy summer seems almost inconceivable, speculation is now mounting that Salah could be heading for the exit door following fresh developments regarding his future. Meanwhile, in other Liverpool news today, Slot has addressed the contentious exit of Luis Diaz.
Mo Salah to Saudi Arabia update
Salah has allegedly begun discussions with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad over a potential transfer that would see Liverpool's star man succeed Cristiano Ronaldo as the figurehead of the Saudi Pro League. According to The Mirror, the 33-year-old could treble his current £400,000-a-week Liverpool wages should he complete the move.
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Now, according to a report from Foot Mercato, the Egyptian forward has reportedly instructed his agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, to progress with talks. The report suggests that Salah is now more receptive to a potential move than at any previous point.
Salah was linked with a switch to the Saudi Pro League in 2024, but those rumours were dismissed after the winger penned a two-year contract extension to remain on Merseyside towards the end of last season.
Mohamed Salah on the bench at Liverpool
Mohamed Salah on the bench at Liverpool(Image: Getty)
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The Egyptian currently holds the Golden Boot, Playmaker Award and PFA Players' Player of the Year trophy, following his remarkable 2024/25 campaign. However, Salah's performances have declined this term.
The opportunity to reduce Salah's substantial wage bill could prove attractive for Liverpool's hierarchy, who would also be anticipating a significant transfer fee.
Speculation is also mounting that all sides would prefer any agreement to be concluded before Salah departs for the World Cup with Egypt. Salah's openness to discussing a transfer follows a difficult period which included a controversial interview last December in which the winger accused Liverpool of 'throwing him under the bus'.
Slot opens up on Luis Diaz departure
Reds manager Slot believes it is unjust to assess Liverpool's restructured attacking options given the prolonged absence for much of the campaign of British record signing Isak.
The Reds have found it difficult to replicate their prolific scoring form from last season's Premier League title triumph when they finished as the division's top scorers. Whilst Ekitike has shown promise, Isak has been restricted to merely three goals in 16 outings due to recurring fitness issues.
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot (R) talks with Liverpool's Colombian midfielder #07 Luis Diaz takes part in a training session, at the AXA training centre in Liverpool, north west England, on October 22, 2024, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League football match against RB Leipzig. (Photo by Peter POWELL / AFP) (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot has discussed the sale of Luis Diaz (L)(Image: Afp)
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Salah has endured an alarming dip in performance whilst Cody Gakpo has also failed to deliver consistently. Supporters have questioned the wisdom of the £65.5m summer departure of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, where the Colombian forward has notched 18 goals and provided 14 assists across 30 matches.
Diaz played a crucial role in securing Liverpool's 20th league championship last term. "You always miss good football players. He was so important for us last season, but he wasn't the only one," Slot said when pressed about his former player.
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"There were more players that were influential in our results. But I think we have replaced them with very good players as well. It is maybe more fair to say that if Alex had been fit, would we have spoken about it then as well?".
"Luis Diaz is another example of how this club is run. If this club gets for a 28-year-old an offer like that then this club, because it is built on sustainability, chooses to sell a player and we are an exception in the Premier League, especially at the top of the Premier League, for that.
"But that is why it is also so nice that we are able to achieve the things we have achieved in the last few years with that model. But he is doing very well at Bayern and that is not a surprise to me."