Mohamed Salah's contract saga shows no signs of abating, nor does Liverpool's brutal title challenge.
However, the former could threaten the latter if Liverpool don't get their ducks in a row. With Salah in the final six months of his Anfield contract, uncertainty looms large, and while the 32-year-old has expressed a desire to stay, a summer departure is looking increasingly likely.
As negotiations continue, foreign clubs – who are now allowed to approach Salah directly – are circling, with one reportedly ready to offer him a huge contract. In the meantime, Liverpool are exploring contingency plans, with a La Liga star being eyed as a potential replacement.
Ultimately, cutting ties with the Egyptian could be for the best, especially as concerns mount that “something is going on” with Salah amid growing frustration over stalled contract talks. Here, Mirror Football provides an overview of the latest developments in this unfolding saga.
Contract offer
Liverpool may be mulling over Salah's contract, but Al-Hilal certainly aren't. The Saudi Pro League club are one of several teams in the Gulf state with Salah at the center of their sights, and it is understood they are willing to hand him a mega-money deal to lure him to Riyadh.
Neymar, whose contract with Al-Hilal expires at the end of the season, is expected to leave in the summer and the Saudi Pro League champions want Salah to replace him as the jewel in their increasingly opulent crown. Neymar has had an absolutely torrid spell at the club, making just seven appearances in 18 months, and Al-Hilal are keen to get his huge wages (reportedly £1.6million per week) off the books.
Unlike the Brazilian, Salah shows no signs of slowing down, maintaining both his exceptional form and fitness. He has already scored 18 Premier League goals this season, equaling his tally in the 2023/2024 season, and has more appearances in all competitions than any of his Liverpool teammates.
In 2023, Liverpool rejected a huge £150million bid from Al-Ittihad, and the Saudis are desperate for their man this time. According to Sky Sports, they are prepared to effectively hand Salah the keys to the kingdom if he decides he wants to move there.
“Something is going on” with Salah
Salah may be in the form of his life statistically, but concerns have been raised about his attitude. Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney claims he looked disinterested after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brentford on Saturday, clocking in as the first player through the tunnel on a full-time basis.
“[Salah] doesn't look interested,” Deeney said while watching the match for talkSPORT. 'Remarkably, Salah is the first to leave the pitch… There's something going on with that guy today. Whether it's something with Saudi, whether there's a move, but he wasn't at the races today.
“The fact that he was the first through the tunnel, even though 95 percent of the team is there celebrating, says a lot to me. The whole team was celebrating in the corner and he was 70 meters away. It was like: “Done, I did it.” “I'm leaving.” There could be something else going on and I'm exaggerating. But that said a lot to me.”
Deeney also criticized Salah's performance in the game, insisting he was lucky not to have become hooked on manager Arne Slot. “He's on the touchline and when he sprints in he's one against one every time. But he doesn't look like he wants that. I'd be really disappointed if I was a Liverpool fan,” said the Watford team. icon. .
“If it was anyone else, he would have been taken off the pitch. Gakpo was poor today, but did a lot more than Salah. Diaz came away and did a lot more than Salah. He lives with the thought: 'He might be able to give you that goal deliver' .”
Saturday marked the third game in a row in which Salah failed to register a goal or assist. While few would bet on him breaking his drought this week, with games against Lille and Ipswich Town looming, the timing of his dip in form is nevertheless alarming, especially with all the noise behind the scenes.
Replacement identified
When it comes to Salah's future, Liverpool are apparently hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. While there will be few players who can fill the huge (figuratively speaking) shoes of the former Roma and Fiorentina star, an extensive search for his replacement is now underway.
According to the Spanish newspaper Fichajes, Real Madrid CEO Brahim Diaz is being considered. The Moroccan international, formerly of Manchester City, has been in good form of late, scoring two goals and two assists this month.
He has been getting regular game time since returning from his three-year loan spell at AC Milan, but has failed to cement a place in Carlo Ancelotti's first team, featuring Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Endrick and Arda Guler. all vying for a position on the team's front line. It means he is surplus to requirements, and while Los Blancos don't want to sell him, they could be tempted if Liverpool make a big enough offer.
However, the Reds will not be able to release him. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are reportedly monitoring his situation and are likely to join the fray if Madrid indicate they are open to Diaz's departure. It is not known exactly how much he will be available for, but some reports claim that an offer of around £50 million will be needed before the La Liga giants will consider a move away.
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