“There’ll be a list of exciting clubs all waiting” - Glen Johnson backs Liverpool star for Anfield exit amidst contract saga
Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes Mohamed Salah is set to leave the club at the end of the season as a free agent. He also said that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk might end up staying.
Salah, Alexander-Arnold, and Van Dijk all are set to become free agents next summer. The Egyptian winger recently said that the club hasn't approached him for a new contract. Amidst speculation around his future, Johnson believes the 32-year-old will leave Liverpool next summer.
He told Betfred (via Mirror):
“I believe Mo will leave and the other two will stay. Each of them are going to have an endless list of clubs that will want to sign them if they’re available as a free agent and if Liverpool know that any of them aren’t going to sign a new contract, then I believe they’ve been foolish to not cash in. You can’t have players of their calibre walking out on a free.”
Salah was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia last summer and this summer as well. However, Johnson believes the winger has a lot to offer at the highest level and will have plenty of options if he leaves. He said:
“It depends because Mo still has an awful lot to give. He doesn’t play as if he’s 32 years old, so you assume as long as he feels right, that he can continue to play at this level for a couple more years, so you hope a move to Saudi Arabia isn’t of interest to him right now.
“If he’s available on a free at the end of the season, then there’ll be a list of exciting clubs all waiting to sign him.”
Al-Ittihad were reported to have made a huge bid of around £150 million for Salah in the summer of 2023 but Liverpool rejected it (via BBC).
When Arne Slot spoke about Mohamed Salah's statement on Liverpool future
After the Merseysiders beat Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on September 1, Mohamed Salah spoke about his contract situation at the club. He said that it could be his last year at the club and talks about a new contract haven't taken place yet.
In the post-match press conference after that game, manager Arne Slot was asked about Salah's statement. He said (via Goal):
"It’s a lot of ‘if’. At this moment he is one of ours and I am really happy with him being one of ours and he played really well. I don’t talk about contracts from players but I can talk for hours about how Mo played today."
Salah has become a Liverpool legend since arriving from AS Roma in 2017. He's registered 214 goals and 92 assists in 353 games, winning numerous trophies. He's also started this season well, contributing three goals and three assists in four games.