Arsenal and Chelsea could have a big problem on their hands in the summer transfer window.
The lead-up to the summer transfer window in England looks set to be dominated by what is going to happen at Premier League champions-elect Liverpool.
The Reds have three players out of contract in the summer, with no sign of a contract extension on the horizon for any of them. Liverpool could lose three huge players in Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.
It is the last of those three that would hurt the most were he to leave. Salah is the man Liverpool turn to when they need something the most. He is their talisman and losing him to a free transfer would be catastrophic.
Just for context the Egyptian has the most goals – 25 – and the most assists – 17 – in the Premier League this season. He will likely, barring a complete disaster or an Erling Haaland goal-glut, join Harry Kane in winning both the Golden Boot and the Playmaker award in the same campaign.
Salah was asked about his contract situation in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports prior to the win over Newcastle United on Wednesday. When asked if there was any news he shook his head and said: “In a very polite way, [no].”
Liverpool may well be on the lookout for a replacement this summer and they may not have to look too far with two players in the Premier League more than capable of stepping into his very big shoes.
The Reds have been linked with a move for Bukayo Saka in the past with former boss Jurgen Klopp a huge admirer of the England star. Saka is to Arsenal what Salah is to Liverpool and given his age would be the perfect long-term replacement.
Saka is, however, a boyhood Gunner and committed his future to the north Londoners until 2027 with a new contract signed in 2023. That does mean this summer he will only have two years to run on his current deal and if, as expected, Arsenal go another season without winning a trophy and another season of being the bridesmaid and finishing second in the Premier League table, the youngster and other players may well think long and hard about their futures and the hopes of silverware.
Saka is not the only star in London that Liverpool could target. Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has suggested Cole Palmer could make the move from Chelsea to Liverpool if Salah were to leave.
He said: “He’s the top man at the club. He plays week in, week out. Yes, the Champions League is important. If we keep missing out on Champions League, only then does it become a problem for Cole Palmer.
“I genuinely believe that the only club that could tempt him would be Liverpool, and even then, they would have to let Salah go first.”
Palmer would not be a like-for-like replacement as such, but he is, like Salah, Chelsea’s go-to guy. Like Salah he is the Blues’ top scorer (14) and top assister (6) in the Premier League this season and if Liverpool are looking for someone to be their main man, Palmer is well used to being that.
It would take big money and big decisions from both players for Liverpool to replace Salah with either of them, but one thing is for certain, it would only strengthen Liverpool and weaken one of their biggest rivals by doing so.
