Mohamed Salah has claimed he is yet to receive a formal offer from Liverpool, admitting he is “disappointed” not to have made a breakthrough with the club over a new contract.
And the Reds star, who scored twice on Sunday to help Arne Slot’s team go eight points clear in the Premier League with a 3-2 win over Southampton, teased that he is now “more out than in” because of the ongoing impasse.
Salah is edging close to the final six months of a deal signed in late June of 2022, which means he can speak to clubs outside of England about a free transfer next summer when the winter window opens on January 1It is understood that talks with Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, remain ongoing, but with the Egypt captain being the highest-paid player in Anfield history at somewhere between £350,000 and £400,000, the club’s carefully balanced wage structure means a new deal, particularly on improved terms, was never going to be a formality, despite the enduring brilliance of the 32-year-old.
As the ECHO reported back in September, Salah is desperate to stay put at Anfield for the next phase of his career and the 12-goal top scorer says he has not entertained any thoughts of either retiring or moving to a league that is less intense than England’s top flight.
But in a rare interview about his current situation, Salah also revealed he still hasn’t been tabled a formal contract offer by Liverpool, despite the prospect of his representative being inundated with proposals from around world football in a little over a month.“Well, we are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club, [so] I’m probably more out than in,” Salah conceded.
You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December and I haven’t received anything yet about my future. “I love the fans. The fans love me.
In the end it is not in my hands or the fans’ hands. Let’s wait and see. Of course [no offer is disappointing], yeah.“I’m not going to retire soon so I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I’m disappointed but we will see.
I’m very professional. Everybody can see my work ethic. I’m just trying to enjoy my football and I will play at the top level as long as possible. I’m just doing my best because this is who I am and I try to give it all for myself and for the club. We will see what happens next.
Club owners Fenway Sports Group have not made a habit of offering long-term deals to players in their 30s and with Salah set to turn 33 before the start of next season, plus his status as the highest earner in the Liverpool squad, an agreement was never expected to be reached swiftly.
However, it is understood that there is a willingness on both sides to reach an agreeable conclusion, with discussions that are said to be positive and constructive ongoing with Abbas, the Colombian lawyer who has represented Salah throughout his near eight-year career on Merseyside.
Salah was the subject of an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in August 2023, but FSG president Mike Gordon personally declined a bid worth up to £150m.Asked if a move to Saudi Arabia could be part of the thinking if a new deal is not agreed at Anfield, Salah added: “I don’t want to speak about that. I am focused with the team now.
It is an important win (against Southampton). I’m glad that we managed to win the game because were 2-1 down. The best thing is to win the game because the next game is against Manchester City. Hopefully we keep winning.
I’m just playing my game. trying to chill and relax and just play. The whole team has the chemistry now with the new manager (Arne Slot). Hopefully we keep winning and win something in the end.
Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after the victory on Sunday, Salah said: “It’s great, hopefully we can keep going in the right direction. We have a game against them (Manchester City) coming up, hopefully we win so we can go more ahead like 11 points.“Man City have had a bad time but they’re going to strike back, they have a great coach, great players. Hopefully we can beat them to go further (ahead).
Liverpool entertain Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night as they look to consolidate their position as leaders of the revamped European Cup, before a visit from Pep Guardiola’s City on Sunday.
