Liverpool is facing a major question: Why have the contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold not yet been resolved? All three players will be free agents next summer and can negotiate with foreign clubs starting in January 2025.
When Salah signed a three-year contract with Liverpool in 2022, he became the highest-paid player in the club’s history, with a weekly base salary of £350,000 plus performance-related bonuses. His total earnings from endorsement deals are close to £1 million a week.
This estimate was reported in a 2023 Harvard University study when Salah attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia through the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Al Ittihad, a PIF-controlled club, signed Fabinho from Liverpool for £40 million in the summer of 2023. Despite making offers of £100 million and then £150 million, they failed to acquire Salah. Salah is happy to stay at Liverpool, where he has scored 56 goals in 96 matches since signing his new contract.
Currently, Salah is aware of the financial implications if he decides to leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabia. Although Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s new sporting director, has met with Salah’s representative, Abbas, no discussions have taken place about a contract extension.
The delay in contract negotiations has surprised fans and the football world, especially concerning Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold. The disruptions from the previous season and changes in the coaching staff have not helped improve the situation.
Since winning the Premier League in 2019/20, Liverpool has won three cups, all against Chelsea, but Salah’s role was mainly supportive due to injury. Liverpool also narrowly missed out on winning the Premier League and Champions League during that time.
Even though the previous season was less successful, Salah still scored at least 25 goals for the fourth consecutive season. He hopes a strong season will boost his value.
As Liverpool evaluates the role of Arne Slot, Salah remains curious about the post-Jurgen Klopp era. He is more open about his future than in the summer of 2022, when reaching an agreement with Liverpool seemed challenging.
In 2022, the negotiation process was difficult, but now both parties have less time before Salah’s contract expires.
Financially, Liverpool may struggle to compete with Saudi Arabia clubs. One of the Saudi Pro League clubs might make an enticing offer for Salah, and acquiring him would be costly.
The three-year contract with Karim Benzema in the summer of 2023 is one of the highest in football history, worth £172 million per year, nearly equivalent to Salah’s total earnings from his current deal with Liverpool.
Salah’s popularity in the Middle East could make him a standout signing for the Saudi Pro League. Like Benzema, he could expect a high income.
Liverpool is currently looking for a new sporting director, and Michael Edwards, recently appointed by FSG as football CEO, may be involved in financial decisions. Salah’s age is a factor in FSG’s considerations, with a focus on financial sustainability and short-term contracts for players over 30.
If Liverpool is not flexible in offering a new contract, Salah might leave. Salah will be 33 before his current contract expires in June 2025, though Abbas believes he could perform at a high level until age 40.
