Salah’s Future in Doubt as Agent Talks Loom Amid Transfer Rumours

LIVERPOOL: Mohamed Salah’s public criticism of Liverpool, claiming the club had “thrown him under the bus” in an interview on 6 December, has sharply accelerated speculation about his future, suggesting the end of a celebrated relationship may be on the horizon.

The 33-year-old forward, who holds legendary status at Anfield, remains defiant, still considering himself one of the first names on the Liverpool team sheet. However, the timing of his outburst—after being benched by manager Arne Slot—has created an undeniable fracture.

As Salah departs Merseyside to join the Egyptian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), his future will be handled by his agent, Ramy Abbas, who is set to engage in critical talks with the club during the tournament.

While the prevailing understanding is that neither Liverpool nor Salah wants to cut ties in the January transfer window, a move at the end of the season is viewed by sources as suitable for both parties.

Salah’s contract, worth £400,000 a week, expires in 2027. This high value, combined with the player’s immense global profile, makes him a primary target for clubs in Saudi Arabia, who have demonstrated significant interest in the forward.

The interview controversy recalls past disputes where Salah successfully dictated terms, including a high-level dispute with the Egyptian FA over image rights in 2018 and the contract saga that culminated in him signing his lucrative extension and posing on a ceremonial throne in April.

However, the current situation feels different. Despite manager Slot insisting there was “no issue to resolve” and teammates expressing a desire for him to stay, Salah’s diminished role has become a factor.

For now, Salah is focused on his national team in Morocco. Triumph at Afcon remains a major personal ambition, particularly after losing the final in 2017 and 2021. The Egyptian team staff insists he is a “model professional” who will thrive under “double motivation” to prove his elite status.

Although Salah still believes playing in the Premier League offers the best platform for his national team ambitions, his agent Abbas will manage the evolving situation at Liverpool, where the forward’s era as the undeniable focal point appears to be waning.