Mohamed Salah's transfer dramas are becoming increasingly common, but in 2022, a particularly tense contract standoff was simmering away quietly. This season, the Liverpool star has resisted the allure of Saudi Arabia - but three years ago, it was Barcelona that was calling his name.
The Catalan giants had offered the enticing prospect of a free transfer in 2023 when Salah's contract was due to end - and the Egyptian king was seriously contemplating it. Barcelona's charm offensive was successful, but given the club's significant prestige and irresistible appeal, it probably didn't need to try too hard.
Having spent the best years of his career at Anfield, Salah, then 29, started to consider other options. He was also looking for a pay rise that reflected his consistent, goal-scoring prowess - having scored 31 times in two consecutive seasons.
Enter Barcelona, who was keen to rebuild under new manager Xavi after suffering a three-year La Liga title drought - the longest in over two decades. Lionel Messi had departed the previous summer, and Los Cules were desperate for a new attacking hero, with Ousmane Dembele failing to live up to expectations due to struggles with fitness and form.
Salah wasn't actively looking to leave Liverpool and had even reassured close friends that a contract extension was just around the corner. However, Barcelona's interest prompted a sudden change of heart, and he put the brakes on.
Liverpool and Salah had been embroiled in contract discussions for over a year, and his choice to halt talks due to Barcelona's offer sent a stark, somewhat unsettling message: he was not only open to leaving, but might even be keen on it.
Lionel Messi and Mo Salah competing for the ball
Barcelona was looking for a replacement for Lionel Messi (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool held its collective breath, fully aware that losing its star player would be a colossal setback - especially on a free transfer. After all, Salah had firmly carved his name into the club's annals, propelling the club to a first Premier League title in 30 years, as well as Champions League triumph, netting over 150 goals in the process.
However, his contract demands were hefty. Already one of the Premier League's highest earners, Salah was asking for nearly twice that amount in his new deal.
The Reds, mindful of their wage structure, were hesitant to capitulate. In the end, though, the saga only dragged on for a few more weeks before Salah put an end to the rumours, penning a new three-year contract worth a staggering $475,000 per week.
Whether Barcelona's interest spurred Liverpool into action, or whether the Spanish club's aspirations were always doomed to crumble under financial woes, we'll never know.
Mohamed Salah Signs a New Contract at Liverpool
Mohamed Salah signs a new contract at Liverpool (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
There's a thin line between loyalty and fickleness in football - a line Salah has tiptoed along more than once. He's considered offers, pondered possibilities, and allowed rumors to circulate - most notably, spending much of the 2024/25 season in uncertainty amidst another tense contract deadlock and an extremely lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League.
But the crux of the matter is he's always remained loyal. In an era where fidelity is often as fleeting as form, Salah's steadfast dedication to Liverpool deserves admiration.
Despite external temptations, it's a decision he's made time and again - demonstrating that while his gaze may have strayed, his heart never truly departed Anfield.