Liverpool have reportedly placed a staggering £100 million valuation on Mohamed Salah ahead of the January transfer window, sending a defiant message to the Saudi Pro League suitors hoping to capitalise on the Egyptian’s recent unrest at Anfield.
The situation regarding the 33-year-old has escalated rapidly over the last fortnight. Despite signing a contract extension in April 2025 that tied him to the club until 2027, Salah’s relationship with manager Arne Slot appears to have reached a breaking point. Following his omission from the starting XI against Inter Milan and a subsequent public outburst, speculation over a premature exit has reached fever pitch.
The £100m "Rescue Mission"
According to a report from the Daily Express, Liverpool owners FSG are refusing to be bullied into a cut-price sale. Despite the internal friction, the club’s hierarchy insists that Salah remains a premium asset. They have reportedly communicated to intermediaries that it would take a package exceeding £100 million to even consider sanctioning a departure mid-season.
This valuation is a significant hurdle for the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), who had hoped to secure the forward for a reduced fee given his age and the public nature of the fallout. Al-Hilal, who recently acquired Darwin Nunez, are believed to be the frontrunners, viewing Salah as the final piece of their jigsaw for the upcoming Club World Cup. However, Al-Ittihad remain long-term admirers and could reignite their interest to rival the Riyadh giants.
A Contract Gamble Backfiring?
The reported fee is particularly bold given the context. When Liverpool handed Salah fresh terms earlier this year, it was seen as a masterstroke to ward off interest. Now, that same contract is the club's only leverage. Slot has publicly played down the rift, stating he has "no reason not to want him to stay," but privately, sources suggest the Dutchman is already planning for life without the Egyptian King.
If a club matches the asking price, it would represent a phenomenal piece of business for Liverpool—recouping nine figures for a player in his mid-30s. However, it would also leave them with the unenviable task of replacing their talisman halfway through a title race. The links to Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo and Real Madrid's Rodrygo indicate that succession planning is well underway.
The Final Goodbye?
Salah is due to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco later this month. There is a growing belief among the Anfield faithful that his appearance against Brighton this weekend could be his last in a red shirt. If he leaves for the tournament and a deal is struck while he is away, he may never step foot on the Anfield turf as a Liverpool player again.
The ball is now firmly in the court of the Saudi negotiators. Are they willing to shatter transfer records once again for the most prominent Muslim athlete on the planet? Or will Liverpool be forced to reintegrate an unhappy superstar for the remainder of the campaign?
What Happens Next?
All eyes will be on the directors' box at Anfield this Saturday. If Saudi officials are present, things could move quickly. Liverpool will hold firm on their valuation, knowing that even if the deal collapses, they retain a world-class goalscorer. But for Salah, the lucrative escape route to the Middle East has never looked more inviting—provided someone writes the cheque.