Richard Keys has claimed Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool for Italy at the end of the season, despite previously predicting the winger would join Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been tipped to join an Italian club in the summer
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Richard Keys has suggested that a transfer to Italy is now Mohamed Salah's most probable destination as speculation persists regarding the Liverpool winger's future. Speculation about a summer departure has intensified as Salah continues to endure a dip in form during what has been a underwhelming season by his customary standards, with his display in the Reds' victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday prompting concern.
The 33-year-old was brought off with 13 minutes remaining at the City Ground, much to his obvious confusion, although his colleagues would go on to claim a dramatic 1-0 triumph without him courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister's injury-time strike.
Having already fuelled speculation about departing during his remarkable comments in December, Salah has found himself once more being strongly linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia, though a January transfer failed to materialise after relations were apparently mended with Arne Slot and Liverpool.
Keys has now indicated that a move to the Middle East is unlikely, and instead the "smart money" should be on a return to Italy - though the disgraced former Sky Sports presenter doesn't have the strongest track record when it comes to forecasting Salah's future.
"I've said many times big-money moves aren't an exact science and that people can change their minds about what they want – right up to the moment a deal is signed," Keys wrote on his blog.
Richard Keys
Richard Keys believes Italy is the most likely destination for Liverpool's Mohamed Salah
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"It's not long since I said an agreement to take Mo Salah to Saudi was done – and it was when I made that statement, only for the player to have a change of heart.
"Liverpool also had a change of mind about letting him go and were happy to offer him a new deal – but only for one reason.
"I've said this before as well – so they could get money for him rather than see him walk away.
"I think he'll leave Liverpool at the end of this season, but I don't think he'll go to Saudi. The smart money is on a move to Italy."
Keys isn't alone in suggesting a return to Italy might be possible for Salah, with ex-Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann having also floated it as a potential destination.
It represents yet another shift from what Keys was claiming just a few months earlier, having previously tipped Salah for a switch to the MLS.
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