Mohamed Salah is reportedly moving closer to the exit door at Liverpool after a disappointing season with the Reds.
After signing a new contract last April, the Egyptian had appeared destined to stay at Anfield until at least 2027.
However, things have taken a turn for the worse this season, and according to BBC Sport, Salah is now looking ‘increasingly likely’ to make an exit.
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FA Cup trophy is pictured on display ahead of the fourth round clash between Macclesfield Town and Brentford (Credit: Getty Images/James Gill - Danehouse). The Premier League trophy pictured at Anfield before Liverpool's final match of the season against Crystal Palace at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Julian Finney).
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Nothing is seemingly set in stone, but it appears that the Egyptian King may be preparing to abdicate his throne.
Salah exit looking likely
After so many years of being the main man at Liverpool, it has been a chastening season for Salah.
Used to hitting 20 goals by this stage of the campaign, the 33-year-old has scored only seven times and is currently on a run of 10 Premier League matches without finding the net.
As a result, BBC Sport explain that it is very possible that Salah is now embarking on a ‘long goodbye’ at Liverpool as he awaits interest from Saudi Arabia and the USA.
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Teams in both countries are said to be ‘possible options’ for Salah, but while an exit is reportedly becoming more probable, key conditions will have to be met.
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Namely, those are ‘genuine interest’ arriving in the legendary winger and, even more crucially, whether his substantial wages can be covered.
Liverpool are reportedly not keen to see Salah leave on a free transfer in 2027, and will also expect to recoup a transfer fee for the No. 11. However, there is no mention of what that could be.
How much would Salah’s asking-price be?
After signing Salah for £34m nine years ago, Liverpool have extracted unbelievable value from Salah as a footballer.
The Egypt captain has repaid his transfer fee times a thousand, and it was surely the thinking when he signed his latest contract that he would indeed leave for nothing in 2027 after two more stellar seasons.
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Mohamed Salah scores a free-kick during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Qarabag at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar
As a result, anything Liverpool bank for Salah this summer should be seen as something of a bonus.
In his current form, aged 33 and with monster wages, it is highly likely that the Reds would have to settle for less than what they paid for Salah in 2017.
Jordan Henderson £12m move to Al Ettifaq in 2023 can perhaps provide a yardstick, with something around the £20m mark perhaps being fair value for all involved.
In the meantime, Liverpool, and Salah himself, will be desperate for his time at the club to come to a positive end. There is still an FA Cup and a Champions League to be won, and if Mo can go out with silverware, it will make this most dreaded of Liverpool exits at least a little more palatable.
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