Sadio Mane's impact on Mo Salah decision as Real Madrid swoop predicted (original) (raw)

Liverpool transfer news: Sadio Mane's impact on Mo Salah decision as two tipped to join Real Madrid

The summer transfer window might have shut, but Liverpool continue to face speculation over the future over three of their stars who are out of contract next summer

Mohamed Salah's contract expires in 2025

Arne Slot's first Liverpool summer was a quiet one, but there's work to do to ensure his second isn't busier than the Dutchman might want.

Federico Chiesa was the only new arrival at Anfield this summer, with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to join in 2025. There were also a few sales, but the more than £50million added to the Reds' coffers came through the sale of fringe players.

There's still an elephant in the room, though, in the form of three contracts expiring next summer. Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk could all leave for nothing next summer and Slot will be desperate to know where he stands sooner rather than later.

Those contracts have attracted plenty of attention as members of Liverpool's squad head off on international duty. Here are Mirror Football's latest lines from around Anfield.

Salah's contract preference

Mohamed Salah is keen to extend his Liverpool contract regardless of a potential bumper offer from the Saudi Pro League, according to The Echo. Sadio Mane's situation is a factor, with the Senegal forward's star falling since his Anfield exit

Al-Ittihad made a play to sign Salah last summer, only for Liverpool to knock back a last-minute bid thought to have been worth north of £100m. Clubs in Saudi Arabia have the financial might to offer the Liverpool man an increase on his current pay packet of £350,000 per week, but his next move won't just be about the money.

Even if this does prove to be Salah's final season at Liverpool, he has started it in fine form. The former Roma star has been on target in each of Liverpool's first three Premier League games to help them to maximum points under their new manager.

Double exit predicted

Graeme Souness expects Liverpool to lose both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold next summer. Not only that, but he anticipates the pair both joining Real Madrid.

"The message that [Alexander-Arnold has] made up his mind may already have been relayed to the higher-ups at the club," Souness said on William Hill’s Up Three Up Front podcast after referencing the right-back's friendship with Madrid star Jude Bellingham. "He’s running his contract down. If you’re going to leave Liverpool, where else other than Real Madrid can you really go to better yourself?

Can Liverpool keep all three of Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk? Have your say in the comments section

Trent Alexander-Arnold could have a chance to join his friend Jude Bellingham in Madrid (

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"I could see Trent at Real Madrid, I could see Van Dijk there as well," he added. “The point being that if you’re leaving Liverpool then the only place you’d really want to go is Madrid.

"Van Dijk might be getting older but he’s an athlete. You can still get a couple more good years out of him. He’s a better player than what Real already have in the likes of Antonio Rudiger."

Rabiot's wage demands 'put off suitors'

France midfielder Adrien Rabiot remains a free agent, with Tuttomercatoweb (via Football Italia) indicating his wage demands didn't match with the expectations of his suitors. Liverpool were among the clubs linked with the former Juventus man, as were Manchester United.

Those reports in Italy suggested Juve were prepared to give Rabiot two more years with a salary of €7.5m net per year (£6.32m/year or £121,000 per week), only for the player to hold out for a higher offer from the Premier League. That offer didn't arrive, while AC Milan reportedly got tired of waiting after making an offer to the 29-year-old.

Despite his future being uncertain, Rabior took his place in France's Euro 2024 squad and featured in five of Les Bleus' six matches. However, he is not part of the squad for the September fixtures in the UEFA Nations League.

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