Mohamed Salah’s Future Uncertain Amid Barcelona and Al-Hilal Interest

LIVERPOOL, England — Mohamed Salah‘s future at Liverpool is in jeopardy as the Egyptian international nears the end of his contract this summer amid interest from major clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia. The 32-year-old forward has drawn attention this season for his performances, scoring 32 goals and providing 22 assists across competitions.

Reports from Catalan media indicate that Salah has offered his services to FC Barcelona, seeking a potential move as a free agent. However, the financial implications of this transfer could pose significant hurdles. Barcelona, struggling with salary limitations, would likely need Salah to accept a pay cut from his current salary of €18 million per season. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal has reportedly tabled an enticing offer of €50 million per year, making it a lucrative option for Salah.

While Barcelona’s management has reached out to Salah, the club is also exploring other options to bolster their attacking lineup. Director of Football Deco recently dampened speculation related to a potential reunion with Neymar, who has returned to Santos. Additionally, the La Liga side appears to be stepping back from pursuing players like Nico Williams and Rafael Leao due to financial constraints.

“If money is the main concern, Salah will go to Saudi Arabia,” a source close to the situation noted, highlighting the complexity of the decision facing Salah. Despite the financial allure from Al-Hilal, some within Barcelona believe that Salah might prefer a new adventure in Europe after an extensive tenure in the Premier League.

Amid these developments, Liverpool’s management remains focused on extending Salah’s contract. Manager Arne Slot expressed the club’s desire to keep the forward, commenting, “Everybody wants him, including us. We want him to extend, of course, as well — that is clear.” However, the ongoing delay in negotiations leaves the door open for Salah to explore options outside Anfield.

Salah was initially linked with a possible transfer to Barcelona at the end of 2024, but talks did not progress. With Lamine Yamal currently occupying the right wing position at Barcelona, it remains uncertain how Salah would fit into the team’s tactical setup under coach Hansi Flick.

As the summer transfer window approaches, Salah’s potential departure from Liverpool has sparked considerable speculation, not just regarding his next club, but also the implications of his exit on Liverpool’s attacking strategy going forward.