We can confirm that talks have been ongoing over the last few months and Liverpool looked to accelerate those over the recent international breaks.
However, despite talks taking place major hurdles remain and those have meant that Liverpool were not even in a position to put a contract offer on the table to their Egyptian superstar.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrating after scoring the third goal during the Premier League match between So...
Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Length of Salah contract is huge issue preventing Anfield stay
TBR Football understands that one of the main issues over a new deal for Salah would be the length of contract on offer.
The two parties are aware they are not close to agreement over this point and is one of the reasons Liverpool are yet to make an official offer.
Salah turns 33 in the summer and we are told that should he agree to stay at Anfield he would like a deal of three-years ideally or two-years with an option that could be triggered via playing time or performance.
However, given Salah is one of the largest earners in the Premier League, currently on a deal that we are told is worth in excess of £350,000-a-week, the length of contract is a concern for the club’s owner Fenway Sports Group.
FSG would like Salah to stay and have made that clear to him and his people, but they are naturally concerned about any potential fall-off in form from the African given his age, despite the fact this season he looks back to his best under new boss Arne Slot.
TBR Football is told that whilst the length of contract is one of the main hurdles, there are other issues too and all that means as it stands a new deal is not close to being agreed.
Reds superstar admits contract is Liverpool’s decision
This was backed up by Salah himself, who after helping Liverpool to a come-from-behind 3-2 win at Southampton, confirmed to the media pool at St Mary’s that he had not received an offer to stay.
Asked about his future, Salah confirmed: “We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club. I’m probably more out than in.
“You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said, it is December and I haven’t received anything yet about my future.
“I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans’ hands.”
Asked if he was disappointed about the lack of progress, Salah responded: “Of course, yeah. I’m not going to retire soon so I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I’m disappointed but we will see.
“I am very professional. Everybody can see my work ethic. I’m just trying to enjoy my football and I will play at the top level as long as possible.”
TBR Football understands that lines of communication remain open between Salah’s people and Liverpool, but interest from elsewhere remains.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have all been linked, but the Saudi Pro League remain the keenest to land Salah as they see landing the world’s most recognisable and renowned Muslim player would be huge for their ongoing project.
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