Steve Nicol believes one Liverpool player will be on top of Arne Slot’s list to be sold right after he arrives this summer.
Jurgen Klopp has left the Reds and it’s time for a new era to begin. Slot has been confirmed as the new manager, and fans are excited to see what he can do when he comes in.
The summer transfer window will be an interesting watch as Slot would surely want to make a few changes at Liverpool. Nicol thinks he knows who is likely to be sold.
Steve Nicol thinks Mohamed Salah will be on top of Liverpool’s selling list
Mohamed Salah has arguably been Liverpool’s best player since his £34 million (Sky Sports) move from AS Roma in the summer of 2017.
The Egypt international has played 349 games for the Reds, scored 211 goals and provided 89 assists in all competitions over the last seven years.
That is an unbelievable return for someone who has played out wide more often than not.
Salah was the subject of serious interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023. They are likely to try and sign him again in the upcoming window, when he enters the final year of his contract.
Liverpool and incoming manager Slot will have a decision to make if they do get an offer for Salah this summer, and Nicol thinks he knows what they’ll do.
The pundit was asked on ESPN FC if he sees any of Liverpool’s attackers moving on when the transfer window opens in June.
Nicol replied: “I honestly believe that probably Mohamed Salah would be top of the list [to be sold this summer].
“Listen, if you’re going to get £100 million for him, I think you take it.”
What makes the most sense for Liverpool?
Liverpool have left themselves in a very difficult position.
Salah will enter the final year of his contract in July, which means if he stays and doesn’t sign a new deal, the Reds will lose him for nothing in 2025.
The problem for Liverpool is that two other key players fall into the same category – Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk‘s deals will run out next year as well.
The right-back will definitely be the priority because of his age, while we’re sure Slot will want to keep hold of his compatriot too, who is also the captain of the club.
Extending their deals will cost Liverpool a fair bit of money, which is why it would make sense for them to let Salah leave if they receive a huge bid from Saudi Arabia.
An offer of around £100 million for a player who will turn 32 in June and have just one year left on his contract would be extremely difficult to turn down.
At this stage of his career, we think selling Salah makes a lot more sense for Liverpool than keeping hold of him and extending his contract.