Paul Merson strongly contends that Liverpool faces a genuine 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 Egyptian forward, has been a coveted figure in the Middle East, with a recent verbal offer swiftly turned down by Liverpool, affirming their stance that Salah is not for sale. The rejected offer included £100 million upfront and an additional £50 million in add-ons. Merson, speaking on Sky Sports, pointed out the predicament Liverpool finds itself in concerning Salah’s potential departure. 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 would likely 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 in competing for a top-four spot in the Premier League if Salah departs.
Despite the enticing offer for a player of Salah’s age, Liverpool remains steadfast in resisting any attempt to part with a player who has been prolific, scoring 138 goals in 221 appearances across six seasons.
Merson underlined the challenge for Liverpool in finding a replacement of Salah’s caliber within the limited time left in the transfer window. He also emphasized the importance of keeping manager Jurgen Klopp content and suggested that any decision to sell Salah might impact Klopp’s morale.
Furthermore, Merson empathized with Liverpool’s situation, particularly highlighting the potential fallout of rebuilding the team in Salah’s absence, should he depart for the eye-watering sum offered.
