The close friend of Mohamed Salah and former teammate of Liverpool, Dejan Lovren, shared his point of view on the deadlock of the Egyptian contract in Anfield.
Salah’s future with the leaders of the Premier League is surrounded by uncertainty because no contract extension has yet been struck between the club and the player, who could leave for nothing when his Reds agreement expires in summer.
With the formal striker, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also out of contract in Anfield at the end of the season.
Despite an astonishing form this season with 21 goals and 13 assists in 23 Premier League games, Salah’s agreement remains a major subject of discussion.
Lovren, one of his close friends and his former teammates, opened this week on the contractual situation of the Egyptian – admitting that he is closer to leaving than to stay “.
In an interview with Winwin, the defender revealed that he thought that Liverpool had not shown enough respect to Salah throughout their negotiations.
Dejan Lovren revealed that he thought that Mohamed Salah “is closer to leaving than staying”
The duo spent six years together in Anfield until 2020, when the Croatian moved to Russia
Salah’s agreement expires despite the fact that he benefits from a superb season so far with 34 goal contributions
He said: “Salah thinks that it lacks things on the club side, and I hope it will soon be resolved. But the current reality is that it is closer to leaving than to stay.
“I came to the conclusion that the club does not respect it enough, or not as much as it thinks that it deserves, but it is another side of the conversation, it all depends on what is happening behind the scenes. He loves Liverpool, by the way he loves Liverpool very much, and he wants to stay, and that is the most important part, maybe he is retired there.
Lovren’s claims come after Salah hinted several times that it could be his last season in the Reds shirt after describing his desire to win another first League title.
Last month, the 32 -year -old striker again stressed that, despite five months in his agreement, there is no progress in his negotiations with the club.
Even the boss of Liverpool, Arne Slot, who appreciates his very first campaign with Salah, congratulated the player, suggesting that he deserves to be appointed an extraordinary footballer.
After spending six years together to play for the Reds, the former teammate Lovren defended the Egyptian, saying that he wanted him to stay.
“Everyone wants him to stay, and I want him personally too. I called him the other day and I said, “Mo, you have to think about you. Look at everything I did for this club and what I am always able to do.”
Previously, Arne Slot praised the Liverpool striker and labeled him an extraordinary footballer
Lovren advised Salah to “think of yourself” after the Egyptian revealed that there was no progress in his negotiations with the club – with several elite teams interested in his signature
Salah and Lovren have been in contact since the defender’s departure for Zenit St Petersburg in 2020.
The duo developed a solid relationship for six years spent together in Anfield, the Croatian even congratulating the 32 -year -old man after his 100th goal for Liverpool in 2021.
Now, the Egyptian has 237 goals in 383 games for the Reds, placing himself in fourth place on the club’s highest table.
The Croatian explained that friendship had started with their common passion for coffee after Salah asked him if he wanted the drink at an airport.
Lovren now plays on the Greek side PAOK. The former defender of Southampton and Lyon made seven appearances this season, but is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
When he questioned if the Saudi Pro League could be a future option for Salah, he said: `If he leaves, yes, why not?! As you know, the Saudi League is starting to become more competitive.
“I think that if Mo is going, he will be one of the biggest stars, and it will be a huge marketing boom for the League, and he will certainly attract certain fans with him, then wait and see what’s going on.”
During the winter transfer window, it was revealed that the leaders of Saudi Arabia wanted to bring the player, offering the player an astounding agreement of 65 million pounds sterling in two seasons.
Saudi chef Turki Alshikh reported Al-Hilal’s intention to sign Salah after Neymar’s release
In January, Alashikh shared a photo of Salah in an al-Hilal kit on his Facebook page
In addition, Turki Alashikh – The President of the General Entertainment Authority – shared a photo of Salah in an al -Hilal kit on its social media pages in December.
The league champions showed a clear interest, in particular after having ended the Neymar contract – which then joined his childhood club Santos.
If the Egyptian decided to complete this decision, he could join old European football stars such as Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly.
