Former footballer Paul Merson strongly believes that Liverpool could still face the risk of losing Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League this month, despite the club rejecting a substantial £150 million bid from Al Ittihad.
Salah, the talented Egyptian forward, has been a target of interest from the Middle East, with a recent verbal offer being promptly turned down by Liverpool, who asserted that Salah is not for sale. The offer included £100 million upfront and an additional £50 million in add-ons. Merson, speaking on Sky Sports, highlighted Liverpool’s dilemma in potentially losing Salah. He acknowledged Salah’s immense talent and questioned whether selling him for £150 million would result in acquiring a player better than Salah.
Merson suggested that an offer exceeding £200 million might be too tempting to refuse for a 31-year-old player. He expressed concerns about Liverpool’s prospects without Salah, hinting at a potential struggle for a top-four spot in the Premier League if Salah were to depart.
Despite the tempting offer, Liverpool remains resolute in resisting any attempts to take away a player who has been prolific, scoring 138 goals in 221 appearances over six seasons. Merson emphasized the challenge for Liverpool in finding a replacement of Salah’s caliber within the limited time left in the transfer window. He also highlighted the importance of keeping manager Jurgen Klopp content and suggested that any decision to sell Salah might affect Klopp’s morale.
Furthermore, Merson empathized with Liverpool’s situation, particularly the potential fallout of rebuilding the team in Salah’s absence, should he depart for the offered sum. In conclusion, Merson expressed sympathy for Liverpool and Klopp, stating that while the offer is substantial, the consequences of Salah’s departure would necessitate a complete overhaul and a considerable period for rebuilding.
