MOHAMED SALAH’S contract saga is closer than ever to being concluded after he made a huge decision on his Liverpool future.
The current deal of the Kop’s Egyptian King expires at the end of the season, with Salah himself suggesting this would be his final year playing at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah is edging closer to a new Liverpool deal[/caption]
However, according to reports from the Daily Mail and The Athletic, Salah is set to sign a contract extension with the Reds.
It comes after a breakthrough in negotiations with the 32-year-old amid long-term transfer interest from Saudi Arabia following a rejected bid of £150million from Al-Ittihad in 2023.
Salah’s new deal will see him extend his stay with Arne Slot‘s side for two years.
Meanwhile, captain Virgil van Dijk is set to follow suit by putting pen to paper on fresh terms.
The Dutchman, 33, will also sign a two-year deal following a previous offer below his expectations.
He gave the biggest indication yet he would stay earlier this week when he said: “There is progress, yes.”
Salah and Van Dijk are two of three top stars the club is at risk of losing next summer, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, the homegrown defender looks destined to part ways with Liverpool and head to Spain to join Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid.
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Nothing is signed on that move yet, but the Spanish giants are said to be “confident” the 26-year-old will join them when his Liverpool deal expires.
It was suggested by Egyptian outlet Masrawy in March that the Englishman’s expected transfer freed up some of Liverpool’s wage budget to be shifted towards Salah and Van Dijk.
A source told the site: “Liverpool’s management has opened negotiations with Rami Abbas, Mohamed Salah’s agent, to renew the Egyptian star’s contract with Liverpool for the time being.
“Negotiations between Liverpool and Rami Abbas, Salah’s agent, are much more advanced this time than ever before, and the offer presented is higher than any offer made to the player before.”
The report continued: “Alexander-Arnold’s imminent departure from Liverpool will be a major factor in Salah’s contract renewal, following the reduction of the club’s high salaries, allowing the Egyptian star to be given what he desires in his new contract with the Reds.”
According to Capology, the Englishman earns £180,000 per week, with Salah on £350,000.
Salah is the club’s highest earner, with Alexander-Arnold third in the rankings behind the attacker and Van Dijk, who earns £220,000 per week.
Alexander-Arnold’s new wages in the Spanish capital will reportedly see him pocket £240,000 a week.
With his expected move, Alexander-Arnold will become only the seventh Englishman to play for Real Madrid, adding his name to a list including ex-Reds Steve McManaman and Michael Owen.
However, Liverpool could still land a fee for the defender after a new transfer window was agreed to allow clubs to sign and sell players ahead of the Club World Cup, which Real are competing in.
Virgil van Dijk is set to follow suit[/caption]
It comes with Real Madrid confident of landing Trent Alexander-Arnold[/caption]