Why 'relaxed' Mohamed Salah is in no rush to commit himself to Liverpool amid contract uncertainty

According to The Athletic, Salah's latest contract, signed in 2022, established him as the highest-paid player in Liverpool’s history as he secured a three-year deal that guarantees him a basic weekly wage of £350,000, with the potential to earn even more through performance-related bonuses. Factoring in his numerous endorsement deals, Salah’s weekly income reportedly approaches £1 million ($1.31m).

At the time of his contract renewal, Salah was already attracting interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, particularly as the nation began investing heavily in football through its Public Investment Fund (PIF). One such club, Al Ittihad, made headlines last summer by making attempts to secure Salah with a bid that rose to £150m ($196m).

Salah's current deal at Anfield ends in 2025 and according to the Athleticreport, while Liverpool’s new sporting director Richard Hughes has met with Salah's agent, Rammy Abbas, to establish contact, there have been no formal discussions about extending the player's contract. Currently, he is now more determined than ever to achieve success as he understands that a strong season could further elevate his value and increase the demand for his services. Moreover, as much as Liverpool are evaluating Salah's role under new manager Arne Slot, the forward is also keen to see how the club fares in the post-Jurgen Klopp era.

If the decision comes down to financial considerations, Liverpool may struggle to compete with the deep pockets of Saudi Arabian clubs. It is widely expected that one of the PIF-backed teams will make another attempt to lure Salah to the Saudi Pro League as Al Ittihad, in particular, have maintained their interest in the player.

From Liverpool's perspective, several factors will influence whether Salah is offered a new contract. His age, for one, will be a key consideration. Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), prioritise financial sustainability and have traditionally been reluctant to offer long-term contracts to players in their thirties. There is also the issue of setting a precedent. Offering Salah a lucrative contract at this stage in his career could have financial implications. The flexibility shown by both Liverpool and Abbas in 2022, which was crucial in reaching an agreement, may be harder to replicate given the current interest from Saudi clubs.

If Salah were to leave, Al Ittihad remain the most likely destination, given their sustained interest. However, Salah has much to consider. His privacy might be hampered after moving to Saudi Arabia, due to its proximity to Egypt. Additionally, the standard of football in the Saudi Pro League may be a concern, especially if Salah continues to perform at a high level.

An alternative could be a move to the United States, where Major League Soccer (MLS) is growing in prominence. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, co-hosted by the U.S., Salah could be tempted by the prospect of playing alongside global stars like Lionel Messi. The lure of Saudi riches is undeniable, but the appeal of staying in a competitive European league or exploring new opportunities in the United States also holds weight. Whatever the outcome, Salah’s future will be one of the most closely watched stories in football in the coming months.