The Athletic reported today that Liverpool are prepared to break the bank to keep Mohamed Salah.
James Pearce wrote that Michael Edwards is working on a new contract proposal that if signed, would be the most expensive in the Reds’ history.
And if true, it’s a very smart plan by Edwards.
That’s because simply put, Salah is an absolutely massive player for Liverpool and one they could lose next summer for a cut-price fee, with his existing deal expiring in 2023.
Just look at what happened at Carrow Road on Saturday, with Salah scoring one and setting up two in a 3-0 win for Jurgen Klopp’s side away to Norwich City.
If not for his goals last season, the Anfield side may not have even finished in the top six of the Premier League, given that he scored 22 goals in this competition [31 in total] and top four was only secure on the final day of the campaign.
This is a player who Edwards and Klopp need to keep at all costs and extending his stay until 2025, as The Athletic suggested he could, would guarantee his best years would come on Merseyside.
And let’s not pretend he isn’t still going to be a major asset over the coming years.
Yes he is 29, and yes speed is a big part of his game, but Salah is so well rounded as an attacker that even when he loses a yard or two of pace, he’s still going to have enough strings in his bow to be a very effective player for the club.
Other sporting directors may look at Salah’s age and wonder if it’s worth breaking the bank to give him a new deal, but Edwards is well aware of his importance and no doubt Salah is worth it.
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