Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah had an outstanding debut season with the Merseyside outfit, and has thus attracted the interest of the world’s biggest clubs. Although the Reds will be desperate to cling on to their star man, recent reports suggest that Barcelona are interested in putting in a bid for the speedy forward. In fact, Lionel Messi is said to have put his seal of approval on the deal, in what would surely intensify the attacking force on display at Camp Nou.
Salah will be looking forward to the season ahead after his country were sadly dumped out of the World Cup in Russia in the group stage. As it stands, the 2017-18 Golden Boot winner will be expecting to challenge for the Premier League title with Liverpool, but will also be aware that his performances have attracted the attention of the European heavyweights. The former Roma man scored 44 goals in all competitions for Jürgen Klopp’s side last time out, and as a result, now rubs shoulders with the best in the world.
Liverpool will be well aware that they could make a significant profit on the player who they signed last summer for a mere £36.9 million. They will also remember the recent sale of Philippe Coutinho to the Spanish champions for £146 million. The Reds barely noticed the difference after the Brazilian departed, but found themselves with a significant transfer kitty to redistribute throughout the squad. They would be looking at a similar kind of fee for Salah, and may be tempted to take the money to strengthen elsewhere.
Coutinho has fit in seamlessly in La Liga, and Barcelona will be hoping Salah could do the same. The Brazilian has grown as a player in the short time he has been in Spain, and this has been evident in his performances in the World Cup with his country. Brazil have been one of the most solid sides in the competition thanks to the playmaker, and at the time of writing are at odds of 11/4 with Betfair to lift the trophy for the sixth time.
Since losing Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain last summer in that record-breaking deal, Ernesto Valverde has been looking for a player who can operate in a similar fashion to the Brazilian superstar. Salah could well be that long-term replacement. The manager will also be aware that many of his rivals are also interested, and moving as soon as possible could be the only way to secure the Egyptian’s services.
Salah seems happy at Anfield, and has recently penned a new five year deal with the Premier League giants. But when big clubs come knocking it is hard for players to refuse. If Salah wants to be in with a chance of winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or in the next few years, he needs to be at a club which is consistently challenging at the top. And few would pass up the opportunity to work alongside Messi while the Argentine superstar is still in the game. There is no doubt that if Salah joined Barca, their attack would be nigh on unstoppable.
