According to reports, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is ‘unlikely’ to pursue one exit route this summer as an update on a new contract has surfaced.
Liverpool were dealt a huge blow on Tuesday as it emerged that Trent Alexander-Arnold has finalised an ‘agreement’ to join Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.
Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also in the final few months of their contract, but Alexander-Arnold was always the most likely of the three players to leave this summer amid interest from Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been in the market for Dani Carvajal’s long-term replacement over the past year. The England international was made their top target and they appear to have landed their preferred option.
Thankfully for Liverpool, Salah is reportedly leaning towards committing his future to the Premier League giants as a report from GiveMeSport claims he’s ‘unlikely to move’ to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
READ: The outrageous statistics of Mohamed Salah: Most goal involvements in a Premier League season
It is noted that the Saudi Pro League ‘dealmakers’ are yet to make a ‘new formal offer’ for Salah as they are ‘pessimistic’ about their chances of signing the attacker.
It is also claimed that ‘the feeling within Anfield is that the Egyptian won’t move to the Middle East this summer, and there is optimism he will extend’ his deal.
‘Although Salah is free to talk to other clubs and pre-agree a contract, Saudi dealmakers have been unable to make significant progress.
‘Salah has instead prioritised Liverpool talks and despite saying in November he is “more out than in” at Anfield, there is optimism an extension will now take place to allow him to stay with Arne Slot’s side.’
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‘Saudi Pro League sporting director Michael Emenalo, and the now-departed vice-chair of the league, Saad Al-Lazeez, were both involved in Ittihad’s 2023 approach. Emenalo also has an excellent relationship with Salah. But it is understood no fresh formal contract offer was ever expected without encouragement from Salah which, to date, hasn’t come.
‘As a result, Saudi Pro League officials are turning their attention to other targets in anticipation of a busy window. Vinicius Jr, despite his public commitment to Real, Darwin Nunez, Gabriel Magalhães and Mohammed Kudus are all concrete names considered.
‘For Liverpool’s part, they always expected talks with Salah to run well beyond the winter window.
‘The challenge is rewarding the 32-year-old for a superb season that has seen him score 33 goals and grab 22 assists, while also not committing to a risky or ‘reckless’ long-term spend, knowing that the longer the Egyptian remains at the club, the more his form or squad role could diminish.
‘It’s the same reason Liverpool were initially cautious about extending Salah’s current contract back in 2022, only to find the data backed up the financials eventually offered across Salah’s current three-year contract.’