Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool Future: Michael Edwards’ Big Decision | OneFootball

The Curious Case of Salah’s Future

Seven years after orchestrating the signing of Roma’s Mohamed Salah, Michael Edwards now holds the key to whether to extend or terminate the Anfield stay of the record-breaking scorer. Many within the curious Liverpool fanbase are assuming that it will be the Egyptian King who decides his own future and that if he chooses to remain on Merseyside, then that will be exactly what will happen.

Though this logic is sound and perhaps true, I still believe that the reds new Sporting CEO, Michael Edwards, could look to take advantage of an amazing opportunity, one that could enable a fruitful first summer back at Liverpool.

Liverpool’s Big Decision

With news circling that it will be Rúben Amorim that replaces Jürgen Klopp in the summer, it will complete a complete overhaul of the management structure, both on the touch line and in the front office. Despite the current squad being assembled with players that should translate tremendously under the ideals of the Portuguese manager, a few question marks remain when considering the future of key assets.

The trio of Trent Alexander Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah, all need their current contract situations resolving in the coming months, one way or another. As each world class player nears the final year of their respective deals, I do not see a way in which both the captain or vice-captain will not be extended to multiyear deals. Concerning Liverpool’s Egyptian legend, he remains an asset that will almost certainly encourage a world record bid from the Saudi Pro League in a matter of weeks, one that could exceed £200m.

This type of money is utterly ludicrous, however, the desire of the Middle Eastern group to recruit the greatest ever Arab footballer will not deter them, even at such a mouthwatering cost. The former Chelsea and Basel forward will turn 32-years of age in the coming summer and has just endured a muscular injury that kept him sidelined for over a month, the first substantial injury since he arrived back in 2017.

Since his return from the hamstring complaint, there is no denying that his performance level has dropped and it could be that the unfamiliar injury lay off and his undecided future are playing a part in this moment. Last summer (when the reds German manager had full control of recruitment and sales), any potential bid would have been batted away without a second’s hesitation.

At this seasons close, Liverpool’s returning executive, Michael Edwards, will surely be more likely to engage in negotiations and see how high certain cash rich clubs are willing to go. This is a high-level negotiator that once extorted £23m for the sale of Rian Brewster, as well as vast amounts of monies for other former players.

The temptation to sell will be great, especially when you consider what he and his new Director of Football, Richard Hughes, could build with the proceeds. Given the world class abilities of the overall recruitment team, there will absolutely be contingencies if the player were to force the move, something that may well be encouraged by his bosses.

Looking Towards the Future

As the end of this fascinating season nears its climax, I am reminded more and more, just how the 42-year-old Edwards operates and the decisions he will potentially take now he has garnered full control of the football operations. To have the revenue to add younger and brilliant players to the next managers stable, could offer so much to the next phase of this team. The stagnation and uncertainty in the overall transfer market means that players of interest may well be available at lower prices, which would fall perfectly into the masterful hands of Liverpool’s new CEO.

Despite the realisation that Anfield’s legendary head coach will soon be departing, I no longer fear what comes next, as the next generation of management appears to be both elite and hungry for success. I adore Mohamed Salah and what he has brought I this historic club, though if hundreds of millions were brought at this point of his tremendous career, I could see the sense in pushing through with a sale and pushing the regeneration to the next level.