Don Hutchison has told ESPN that he has “heard” Liverpool are still some way off from meeting Mo Salah’s contract demands. However, they are playing hard ball and explains why the Reds are refusing to give in.
Salah, 29, remains out of contract at the end of next season. The interest is going to mount this summer, in what could realistically be the last window in which Liverpool get full price, if they were to sell their Egyptian king.
Some reports claim Salah is requesting a huge £500,000 a week to sign on at Liverpool. The club have also got to sort out deals for Sadio Mane, James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Hutchison said that he has heard Liverpool are playing hardball over Salah’s contract – because they believe he will not join another English club, and that another side will struggle to meet his enormous contract demands.
“From what I hear, what I’ve heard, is they are quite a way off in terms of what they want. Liverpool are playing hard ball. You’re not going to go anywhere in England, so where else are you going to go?
“Bayern Munich are not going to pay £500,000 a week. I don’t think Real, Barca will as well. They’re quite a way off but I think they will end up getting it done,” Hutchison told ESPN FC on BT Sport.
Hutchison on Salah: Liverpool stance is a fair one, but a risky one
Who is realistically going to sign Salah? Hutchison is right, Salah has too much respect for Liverpool to sign for a Premier League club – given that only really, the two Manchester clubs could afford him. Not a chance.
Juventus? Inter Milan? Bayern? PSG? Real Madrid or Barcelona? Bayern, Juve, Inter – they are clubs with deep pockets, not enough to sign Salah. PSG could, but only if one or two of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
