Liverpool’s Premier League superstar Mohamed Salah has held talks with Juventus and is ‘very honoured’ by interest from the Serie A giants, reporter Luca Momblano tells Calciomercato.
It’s starting to feel very real isn’t it.
The prospect of Salah, arguably the greatest footballer in Liverpool’s Premier League history, walking away from Anfield in a matter of months.
Contract talks were supposed to be a formality. Especially after the Egyptian international admitted that he could stay on Merseyside for the remainder of his career.
But talk, as they say, is cheap. And the fact remains that both parties remain a chasm apart as negotiations threaten to become increasingly fraught.
“As of today, the expectation around Salah is not too optimistic,” Fabrizio Romano said on his Here We Go podcast. “Why? Because Liverpool do not want to destroy their wage structure. This is why the (situation) will be difficult.”
Is Mo Salah really leaving Liverpool?
Salah has just over 12 months left on his current deal.
He will turn 30 this summer too. And, as Gini Wijnaldum discovered last year, Liverpool’s American owners are not always willing to bend to the whims of a player closing in on the autumn of his career.
Then again, one suspects they will could make an exception with Salah. He is, after all, Liverpool’s top scorer and arguably the finest footballer in European football right now.
Though, if Liverpool aren’t willing to meet Salah’s demands, there is one club who are. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus could move heaven and earth to bring the former Roma star to Turin.
Max Allegri, meanwhile, has identified Salah as the ideal successor to the departing Paulo Dybala (Corriere).
“He did not reject Juve,” explains Momblano, claiming that talks between Salah and the Serie A giants have taken place. “The agent did not reject them (either). On the contrary.
“(Salah) asked, I think he also did it with the other clubs that have the player’s discontent in their hands, to update him after the World Cup qualifiers.
“He said he was very, very honoured by their call.”
One Liverpool player has already agreed a summer move to Serie A, according to reports. Divock Origi will sign a four-year deal at AC Milan.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
