Expert issues ‘massive’ Salah transfer claim after ‘huge’ Liverpool update
Liverpool would significantly strengthen their spending ability if they can convince Mohamed Salah to drop his wage demands in contract negotiations, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 29-year-old’s current £500,000-a-week demands would “hinder” the club moving forward.
As revealed by Football Insider today (26 March), Liverpool chiefs are confident Salah will drop what he is asking for to sign a “huge” deal to stay.
The Egypt international’s current terms expire next summer.
The respective parties have been locked in negotiations, with Salah claiming his current demands are not “crazy”.
Whelan insisted the Reds cannot afford to meet his “massive” request.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “To me, it would really hinder Liverpool’s chances of strengthening their side with what they’re having to pay out for him.
“He’s a fantastic player. You want to keep all costs but when it comes to wage demands, those are the wage demands of somebody on a free contract.
“They’re not the wages of somebody that’s signing a new contract. There’s a lot of weighing up that Liverpool have got to do and it’s got to be good for the club.
“Not just what you put out there on the field, but the whole stability of the football club financially. It would be a massive, massive pay hike on their wage bill.
“Is it worth it? Well, the way he plays, yes. But financially, is it? It’s a lot of money. It’s his last payday. He’s looking at this as his biggest and best payday he’s going to get.
“That is why there are a lot of question marks right now. A lot of discussions need to take place at Liverpool. Ask me if you want to keep him? Absolutely, hold on at all costs – but not £500,000-a-week costs.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Liverpool have rejected an offer worth at least “£20million-plus”.