Liverpool ‘fully expect’ Mohamed Salah to stay at the club next season and are planning accordingly, a new report has revealed.
Salah is approaching the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield and, with Saudi Arabian sides readying huge bids for his services, it has been suggested that the end of the Jurgen Klopp era could see Liverpool cash in on Salah.
Rumours of a possible departure for Salah intensified at the weekend after a public disagreement with Klopp during the 2-2 draw with West Ham United, but The Athletic report that Liverpool are not entertaining the idea of losing Salah.
Indeed, the Reds are said to be planning for next season with the 31-year-old in their squad, who has shown no desire to leave Anfield in a hurry.
Club officials are also said to be keen for Salah to stay put, making an exit this summer increasingly unlikely, and that Saturday’s altercation has not changed anything.
Those in charge of the Saudi Pro League also believe Salah’s current desire is to spend at least one more season at Liverpool, the report adds, with a potential swoop pushed back until 2025.
The Egyptian would then be available as a free agent as his contract runs out in June next year.
Addressing Salah’s long-term future will be on the agenda of incoming sporting director Richard Hughes, who is likely to buddy up this summer with current Feyenoord boss Arne Slot on Merseyside.
Liverpool have agreed terms with Feyenoord over appointing Slot, with lengthy negotiations over a compensation fee eventually leading to an agreement on Friday.
He has not yet been officially confirmed as Liverpool’s new boss, but it would take an extraordinary turn of events for him to not follow in the footsteps of Erik ten Hag – he left Ajax two years ago to become Manchester United manager.
Slot’s arrival could coincide with significant turnover in the club’s squad, but keeping hold of key assets like Salah will be a high priority.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are two other players yet to be tied down to long-term contracts, although there’s no suggestion at this stage that either is looking to move on.
What we know
- Clubs from Saudi Arabia remain keen on signing Salah this summer
- Egyptian winger in the headlines after clash with departing manager Jurgen Klopp
- Report reveals Liverpool’s stance on selling 31-year-old.