Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson says Mohamed Salah should not be thinking about moving to Saudi Arabia in his current form.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Salah in final year of contractLinked with move to Saudi Pro LeagueUrged to stay by ex-Red JohnsonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
At 32, Salah is still scoring for fun in the Premier League. The Egyptian winger has eight goals and six assists in 11 domestic matches this season, and is undoubtedly the most in-form player across England. But his future remains up in the air and with the clock ticking down on his contract, Salah could choose to sign for a new club in January as he enters the final six months of his current contract. Although an exit is on the cards for the decorated forward, ex-Red Johnson sees no reason why he should be departing Anfield anytime soon.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT JOHNSON SAID
Speaking to Betfred, the retired full-back said: "He’s shown that he still has a lot to give at the highest level. If he went, then we’d know why. I still believe he could do another few years at Liverpool or another top team, but the only person who knows what’s going to happen next is Mo. I believe a move to Saudi Arabia is a bit too soon for him.
"I don’t believe a club should pay a player whatever they want because it sets a bad precedent for everybody else, but I don’t believe Mo is that sort of person anyway that would set crazy demands. He seems like a good, honest lad and I don’t believe the finances would be an issue for him. If Liverpool have the chance to keep him for another 18 months or two years, then they should."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While it is likely Liverpool have already approached Salah about extending his stay on Merseyside, clearly a deal has not been easy to do. The former Chelsea and Roma man is one of the Premier League's top earners but with Saudi Arabia knocking at his door with a mammoth contract that would make him one of the highest-paid players in the world, the pressure is on the Reds to hand him a salary that will satisfy any potential urge to jump ship and head to the Middle East.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR SALAH?
For now, alongside Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Salah will remain a Liverpool player, but all three could leave for free in 2025. But should the Reds win the Premier League in Arne Slot's first season, it could motivate Salah to stay in what is already looking like a promising project under the Dutchman.
