Mohamed Salah is no longer a Liverpool player from Wednesday after striking a deal to end his contract with the Reds early
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool
Mohamed Salah officially becomes a free agent today(Image: Jack Thomas, Getty Images)
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Mohamed Salah can finally fulfil the wishes of a Premier League legend and complete a “selfish” transfer away from Liverpool when he officially becomes a free agent today. The Egyptian forward departs Anfield on July 1 after reaching an agreement with the Reds to terminate his contract 12 months before it was originally due to expire.
Salah’s early exit brings the curtain down on a glittering nine-year spell on Merseyside. The 34-year-old scored 257 goals in all competitions and was a key part of the Liverpool side that lifted the Premier League twice and won the Champions League during one of the most successful periods in the club’s recent history.
However, his final campaign was overshadowed by a public falling-out with manager Arne Slot, who was replaced at the end of the season by former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. Attention has now turned to Salah’s next club, with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League widely viewed as the most likely destination.
But no agreement has yet been announced, with Salah currently representing Egypt at the FIFA World Cup in North America. That uncertainty leaves the door ajar for a sensational Premier League switch – something that would delight Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
Back in 2021, Salah was locked in a lengthy contract stand-off with Liverpool before eventually putting pen-to-paper on a new deal worth more than £350,000 a week, making him the highest-paid player in the club’s history. Before that extension was signed, Drogba urged his former club to make a sensational move to lure the winger back to Stamford Bridge.
Drogba told Al-Axis TV: “If I am selfish, I will tell Salah to leave Liverpool and return to Chelsea. My opinion is that Salah will remain the best, no matter if he continues at Liverpool or if he moves.
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“Any other team would perform better [with him] because he understands what he is doing, is good at scoring and creating goals, and only needs the confidence of the coach. I do not know what his decision would be. This is his decision alone and his future, but wherever he goes, I will be one of his fans.”
Didier Drogba and Mohamed Salah
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba previously urged his former team-mate to make a sensational return to Stamford Bridge(Image: Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
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Salah first joined Chelsea from Swiss side Basel in January 2014 in a deal worth around £11million. But his spell in west London never truly got going, with the ‘Egyptian King’ making just 13 Premier League appearances before loan moves to Fiorentina and Roma.
The Italian club signed him permanently in 2016, paving the way for his £34m move to Liverpool a year later.
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