ARNE SLOT HAS urged Mohamed Salah to sign a new contract with Liverpool, advising the Egypt star against a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Salah has been in sensational form this season but is out of contract in June, with speculation persisting that the Saudi Pro League could be a possible destination for the Egyptian superstar.
Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal was asked whether the forward was the “big prize” for the Middle East nation in an interview on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube channel on Thursday.
“Definitely, because if he ticks all the right boxes, even for us, we’d love to have him,” the sports minister said.
“We feel like we are one with the Egyptians, from our culture and our history and so on.”
The 32-year-old Salah, who tops the Premier League goalscoring charts with 19 goals this season, said at the end of December he was still “far away” from reaching an agreement over a new deal at Anfield.
Liverpool manager Slot reiterated at his pre-match press conference on Friday that the club want to keep hold of their talismanic striker, who joined the club in 2017.
“We want him to extend, of course, as well,” he said. “That is clear, but I’m not surprised that Saudi wants him, I’m also not surprised if other countries want him as well.
“He’s old and wise enough, he’s done so many smart things in his career that he will make the right decision for himself and hopefully for us as well.”
Referring to the Saudi links, the Dutchman added: “He’s done so well without my advice for a long time, so he can probably keep doing what is best for his career, even without my advice.
“But my advice to him would be different from the one you just mentioned.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold are also out of contract at the end of the season, giving the Premier League leaders a headache.
Slot, whose team face in-form Bournemouth on Saturday, said it “would be ridiculous” if he did not speak to his players about the future, but he refused to be drawn on the progress of contract talks.
Sign him for 2 years with the
Option of a 3rd
Please get this sorted.
@Deano74: Liverpool are cheap fkers at times. You can’t replace him so pay him.
Will he go for the lure of the oil money and put a stain on his great career.
@Michael Carroll: I don’t think moving would stain his career.
He has been in the top 3 players in the league every season he has played for Liverpool and can be considered for their greatest every XI.
If he goes to Saudi he instantly becomes the biggest player there, even bigger than Ronaldo, as he is the most high-profile Arabic player.
And I say this as a United fan
@Michael Carroll: No stain unturned
@Michael Carroll: totally agree Michael.. money has been ruining this game for a long time but now the Saudis are destroying it.
@Dave McAuliffe: I might not be a stain on his career but it almost certainly would be the end of relevance of his career.
@Michael Carroll: why would it be a stain?
@Michael Carroll: no stain, he owes no one. Would love to keep him though.
Liverpool clearly not willing to pay him what he wants… surely Slot should be telling his board he crucial, pay the man. He’s the best player in the league and he’s in great nick
@ Mistral. Do you actually follow football. Maybe your just taking the p**s.
@Michael Carroll: still waiting, why would it be a stain?
@Michael Carroll: He asked you a question,why would it be.a.stain,I’m also awaiting a explanation.