Liverpool are rapidly closing in on the end of the Mohamed Salah era.
The Egyptian King, 33, has been at the club since 2017 – winning everything there is to win in the club game since his arrival.
He will depart a bonafide Liverpool legend – with the club having their work cut out in finding a successor.
It’s a shame Salah’s Liverpool career is ending like this. Currently injured we do expect to see the two-time African footballer of the year in Red before the season ends.
However in an ideal world we would have had one season more of the goalscoring legend. But an agreement was reached to rip up Salah’s contract one year early following a row with Arne Slot.
Earning £400k per week Salah will now leave at the end of the current season rather than 2027 as planned. But where will he be playing next season?
Salah linked with MLS move and Saudi Arabia
The conventional wisdom has been that Salah will end up on MLS or else in the Saudi Pro League.
San Diego FC and the American league execs are preparing an enticing package for Salah post-FIFA World Cup. And Al-Ittihad have long been thought as willing to offer Salah a home in Riyadh – at a salary point which far outstrips anything in Europe.
But that discounts the notion that Salah sees himself as one of the peak attackers in world football. And according to a new report in Mwatan News in Egypt there is a top-five league superclub leading the way for his signature.
Real Madrid could well offer Salah a short-term home with Los Blancos thought to be in the race for Salah.
“Salah enters this stage at a crucial crossroads, as his decision is linked to several factors, most notably continuing to compete in Europe at the highest level, or moving towards a more leading role with a greater financial return in other destinations,” the report reads.
Real Madrid leading the Salah race
“Several potential destinations are emerging, with Real Madrid leading the way. However, completing the deal seems complicated given the club’s policy and the abundance of stars in their attacking line.
“Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia also appears as a strong option due to their financial resources and the fact that they would offer him a leading role within the team, despite their absence from European competitions.”
Last week there were links with Fenerbahce as it became ever more apparent that Salah wasn’t prepared to call time on playing at a club capable of featuring at Champions League level.
Italy could also provide his next destination. Ex-club Roma could bring him back to the Italian capital while Juventus and recently-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan could also make a move.
“Clubs such as Roma, Juventus and Inter Milan have also been mentioned, but they seem less realistic options at the moment, in addition to Inter Miami emerging as a different destination that gives the player a global marketing dimension, especially given the presence of big stars in the American league,” the report concludes.