Mo Salah dropped a bombshell in his Champions League press conference, with a shock announcement on his Liverpool future.
The Reds forward was inevitably asked about his contract stalemate with the club, even as he looked forward to another huge final in a historic season for Jurgen Klopp’s side. And while he diplomatically avoided answering questions on the negotiations, he did state - emphatically - he will be STAYING at Anfield next season.
In a clear indication of his intentions, the Egypt midfielder seemed to suggest that even if he doesn’t agree to a new contract, he will see out the final year of his current deal. Speaking in Liverpool’s indoor training pitch at the AXA training ground, he said simply: “I am staying next season for sure, that is clear.”
Salah’s contract negotiations have stalled, with both the player and the club suggesting they will now be picked up after the end of the season. It is understood there have been certain sticking points on the size of the deal, and the length of the contract.
He current agreement was signed just under four years ago, and took him until the summer of 2023 as a Liverpool player. It means he will be a free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season, and also that he can speak to overseas clubs and come to a pre-contract agreement in January.
That is just six months away, and it seems Salah is now intent on seeing out his current contract, even if he can’t thrash out a new deal. But it also offers the tantalising prospect of a new deal being reached in the summer. If Liverpool were not minded to give him a new contract, then they would surely try to cash in before he becomes a free agent.
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And it would make sense for Salah himself to also look to leave in search of the money he wants, which is believed to be £400,000+ a week. He is 30 in June and that means time is running out to sign that one last huge contract at the end of his career.
He will be 31 in the summer of 2023 and that would surely impact on his earning power then, even if there would still be many clubs interested in his services. Salah has always maintained he wants to stay at Anfield, but he wants his service to the club, and impact on the pitch to be recognised.
Speaking about those talks, the Premier League Golden Boot winner said: “In my mind I don’t focus on the contract at the moment. I said two months ago it’s about the team now, an important week for us, winning the trophy is the only important thing, and I want to see Hendo having the trophy in his hands.
He then dropped the bombshell that he will definitely be staying for next season, suggesting he will either see out his contract to force Liverpool’s hand in negotiations, or move on a free in the summer of 2023.
