Ray Parlour thinks Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool and has had his head turned by interest from Saudi Arabia.
Salah was linked to the Middle East back in 2025 when he agreed a new contract that keeps him at Anfield until 2027.
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Mohamed Salah shakes Arne Slot's hand as he comes off during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Creidt; Getty Images/Liverpool FC
However, Saudi Pro League links emerged once again late last year, around the same time the winger hit out at Liverpool in an interview post-Leeds United.
More recently, contact with Salah’s agent has been made by one Saudi Pro League side.
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There is talk about a potential MLS move for the 33-year-old, while a transfer to the Serie A has been mooted.
Now, former player Ray Parlour has commented on Salah’s declining form this season when speaking to talkSPORT.
He suggested that the Egyptian, who has now gone nine games without a league goal, is not the same player since he signed his last contract, and has had his head turned by Saudi Arabia.
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Parlour said: “He’s not been the same player since he signed that new contract. I know his head’s been turned a little bit in Saudi Arabia, but you’re playing for Liverpool Football Club.
“Wouldn’t surprise me [if Salah left in summer], no. Not at all.
“Whether Liverpool look at it and say, look, he’s not really… We’re paying him a lot of money, and we can get him off the wage bill, and suddenly we can bring someone else or get one of the youngsters, give them an opportunity.”
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How much money Liverpool would save from selling Mohamed Salah
Salah will have 12 months left on his Liverpool contract by the time the 2026 summer transfer window rolls around.
When there was talk about a potential January transfer move, Rousing The Kop spoke to finance expert Adam Williams about the money Liverpool would save on the winger’s wages.
He explained: “As well as Salah’s wages, which reportedly are around £400,000 per week, you’re also looking at a saving in National Insurance contributions. That’s not a trivial sum. National Insurance is set at 15 per cent as of April 2025, so if £400,000 is Salah’s basic weekly wage, Liverpool are also paying another £60,000 on top of that.”
Over the course of 12 months, that works out at £23.92m, which is not a small chunk of change.
But Williams also pointed out the negatives of losing a big-name star like Salah.
He said: “On the flip side, Salah is a huge commercial asset and losing him would harm their leverage with sponsors. For a player of his stature, particularly in the Arabic-speaking world, that’s a real factor. FSG will be taking a holistic view*.*“
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