Anfield Index
·15 December 2024
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·15 December 2024
Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool has been the subject of intense speculation. As discussions around his contract renewal stall, various clubs have been linked with the Egyptian forward. Among the potential suitors is an unexpected name, as reported by TRT Spor. Here, we dive into the realities and the fantasies surrounding Salah’s next career move.
Liverpool recently tabled a new contract offer for Salah, but negotiations seem to be progressing slowly. With his current contract set to expire in 2025, the clock is ticking for Liverpool to secure their star player’s future. At 32, Salah remains in prime form, which complicates the situation further—too valuable to let go easily, yet increasingly expensive to retain.
Photo: IMAGO
In an intriguing twist, Besiktas has emerged as a potential destination for Salah. Huseyin Yucel, the interim president of the Turkish club, expressed his desire on TRT Spor, stating, “We have needs on the right wing and left wing. Of course, my wish is to bring Mohamed Salah to the right wing, but of course this is my dream.” This statement acknowledges the challenges but highlights the club’s aspirations.
Despite Yucel’s enthusiasm, there are significant obstacles. Besiktas’s current budget stands at a mere £226,600, starkly underscoring the financial disparity with Salah’s weekly wages at Liverpool. The club also plans to balance the books by selling players and seeking loan deals, hardly the groundwork necessary for signing a player of Salah’s calibre.
While the allure of playing in the Turkish Super Lig has attracted many veteran stars, Salah’s situation is distinct. He continues to perform at an elite level, suggesting that his next move, if there is to be one, would likely be to a club that matches his ambitions and financial expectations. The traditional powerhouses of European football like Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Real Madrid have been cited as more realistic destinations.
Photo: IMAGO
The financial aspect cannot be ignored. Salah’s earnings at Liverpool set a high benchmark that few clubs can meet. Any potential move would require not just meeting his salary expectations but also providing a project that appeals to his career ambitions at this stage.
As a Liverpool supporter, the continuous speculation around Mohamed Salah’s future can be quite unsettling. While the interest from Besiktas is flattering, it’s hard to take seriously given the stark financial and competitive differences. It’s difficult to envision Salah, who is still at the peak of his powers, opting for a move to a club where even the president admits it’s more of a dream than a feasible plan.
Liverpool, under the new management of Arne Slot, must do everything possible to retain Salah. The prospect of losing such a key player for nothing in 2025 is a worrying scenario. As supporters, we expect the club to provide Salah with not just the financial incentives to stay but also the assurance of ambitious plans to compete at the highest levels, including the Premier League and Champions League.
The club’s handling of this situation will be a significant indicator of their direction under Slot’s management. While we cherish Salah’s immense contributions, the anxiety of these contract talks can’t overshadow the need for a solid, forward-thinking strategy that ensures Liverpool remains competitive on all fronts, with or without Salah.