Mo Salah transfer: Where next for the Egyptian King?

Following Manchester City’s recent and highly surprising implosion Liverpool are now strong favourites in the football betting to secure a second Premier League title.

With nearly a third of the campaign completed it’s in no way fanciful to suggest that such a feat has become theirs for the Reds to lose. No team have previously slipped up when eight points clear at this juncture.

Moreover, any sort of implosion of their own feels unimaginable right now, so consistently brilliant have the Merseysiders been from the moment of Arne Slot’s arrival.

Shrewdly retaining most of Jurgen Klopp’s mandate, but emphasizing more care in possession, the Dutchman has overseen a string of impressive performances that has led to them scoring 2+ goals in all-but-two of their outings. At the back meanwhile, they have been well-drilled and stingy, conceding the fewest shots on target across the top-flight.

While Slot rightfully deserves the lion’s share of the plaudits for Liverpool’s superb output to date, on the pitch nobody has done more than Mo Salah.

An uncharacteristic dip in form during the latter months of last season had some daring to suggest that injuries and age were starting to tell on the prolific Egyptian, and this after he fired 14 goals until a hamstring problem curtailed him from January on.

Even the true greats it seems, have their naysayers.

Yet responding to his critics in some style, Salah has been phenomenal this term, either scoring or assisting every 66 minutes in the league and converting in nine of his 12 league starts.

Back to his lethal best, the 32-year-old has all told notched 223 goals in 367 appearances for the Reds. His legendary status at the club is nailed on for sure.

For all of these many and significant positives, however, we find a shadow looming over Anfield, one that could cast a gloom over title celebrations come May.

With the forward out of contract at the end of this season, an ongoing failure to agree terms on an extension first became a problem, then later a saga. Now, with the player free to talk to overseas clubs in a month’s time it is a stand-off that has reached a critical moment, one that is increasingly making headlines as speculation heightens daily.

Is Mo Salah leaving Liverpool?

It’s a scenario that a couple of years ago would have been laughed out of Merseyside. But now? Now it feels more likely than not.

From the club’s perspective they are reportedly encouraged by ongoing talks but contrasting this, such is the player’s growing frustration he has made his feelings known publicly twice-over.

After a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in September, Salah voluntarily brought up the subject of his future during a post-match interview. Then, after bagging twice at Southampton at the weekend, he was candid once again, telling reporters, “We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club. I’m probably more out than in.

I’m disappointed but we will see.”

Should he indeed exit Liverpool next summer a colossal signing-in fee awaits but naturally there are footballing considerations too. This puts some doubt over the first destination mentioned below as we assess who currently heads the queue for one of the most prized signatures going.

Saudi Arabia

One of the leading clubs from the oil-rich nation will surely be in the reckoning should Salah become available on a ‘free’, undeterred by a £150m bid from Saudi side Al Ittihad that was rebuffed last summer.

We can safely assume a hefty signing-on fee won’t be a hindrance.

As ever, when it comes to established superstars moving to this emerging league, the standard of football comes into play. Salah will no doubt feel he has at least two more years left at the very pinnacle of the game.

PSG

A Mohamed Salah transfer to a British side would prompt shockwaves and furthermore would greatly damage the player’s legacy at Anfield. For these reasons any links to Chelsea or Arsenal can be distrusted.

A short hop across the channel to minted PSG however ticks a lot of boxes, not least because the reigning French champions are still to replace Kylian Mbappe.

Barcelona

Barca may be blighted with serious financial woes but that never stops them from throwing their hat into the ring whenever a megastar is up for grabs.

Indeed, some outlets are intimating that the Spanish giants are bang in contention even if their interest in Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams has yet to wane.

Bayern Munich

Last summer, Die Roten swooped to sign one of the Premier League’s marquee talents in Harry Kane. Could they double-down and lure Salah to the Bundesliga with the promise of almost guaranteed silverware and riches?

The prospect of Kane and Salah pairing up should scare the life out of centre-backs everywhere.

Liverpool

It’s easy to read between the lines and gauge that Salah ideally wants to remain on Merseyside.

The forward isn’t making these comments for PR purposes, to protect his reputation should he leave. He is trying to force Liverpool’s hand so he gets what he wants and stays.

Is Salah leaving Liverpool? With the fan-base also applying pressure don’t be surprised if ultimately this sustained saga proves to be little more than a storm in a teacup.