The future of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool looks set to be a topic of discussion once again this summer.
It had looked possible that Salah might leave the Reds ahead of this season kicking off. A big deadline day bid from Al Ittihad was successfully seen off, though.
However, after the Saudi Arabian clubs made it clear that they would come back in for the Egyptian, it had widely been accepted that this may be Salah’s last year at Anfield.
That’s why news this week that Mo is keen to stay at Liverpool came as a pleasant surprise. It was even reported that a new contract could be in the mix for the 31-year-old.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey though, this is not as cut and dry as it might seem. Speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, Bailey has suggested that Salah’s signature is still very much up for grabs.
What has Graeme Bailey said about Mohamed Salah
Liverpool fans will have been delighted to hear that Salah is likely to stay at the club. He is still a big part of the squad and could even be set for a new role under Arne Slot.
Despite renewed hope that the No.11 could stay though, Bailey has claimed that he still expects to see Salah leave this summer. If he is to go though, it sounds like Mo will have to force his way out.
“I understand that he is still the number one target for Saudi,” says the journalist. “Obviously Liverpool have made it clear that in theory they want him to stay, sign a new deal et cetera.
“The way I see it personally, I think Liverpool are backing Mo into a corner,” Bailey adds. “If he does want to leave he’s going to have to make it happen. That way Liverpool can hold their hands up and say ‘look we wanted him to stay but he’s decided to leave.’ I still firmly believe he’ll go, I do.
“I don’t think he’s going to sign a new contract, I don’t think FSG are realistically going to offer him a new contract with his age profile, the way FSG works. I still don’t see him staying beyond the summer personally and Saudi are still very much there. He is the one they want. He’s the Muslim figurehead player, the one they want to drive it forward. He’s still one of the best players in the world and we’ll see how it goes.
“But it’s my understanding that they still very much want him, but if he is going to leave he may have to make the manoeuvrers himself.”
Will Mohamed Salah push to leave Liverpool
Had Jurgen Klopp been staying at Liverpool for longer, then the events of last weekend would have perhaps made it a given that Salah would leave.
After the pair quarrelled on the touch line at West Ham, Mo’s future looked pretty much certain to be away from Anfield.
With Klopp leaving though, there is a fresh start to be had by everyone at Liverpool. We don’t really see why Salah wouldn’t want to be a part of that.
After spending seven years at with the Reds, Mo is clearly settled. And although he’s gone off the boil recently, Salah is still playing at an incredibly high level.
The Saudis may still want him and could make a big bid, but if it all boils down to Mo himself, then we’d be really interested to see what he ends up deciding.