Barcelona become hopeful suitors for Mohamed Salah amid update on critical Liverpool conditions

Barcelona have shortlisted Mohamed Salah as a potential transfer target if his contract situation at Liverpool continues to stall, according to reports in Spain.

Fears are starting to grow at Liverpool about Salah’s long-term future. The free-scoring forward is out of contract in 2023, but there has been little progress over a renewal. It puts them at risk of losing him for a cut-price fee in the summer, or nothing at all a year later.

Naturally, while Salah continues to excel on the pitch, various clubs are keeping tabs on his situation. A move away from Liverpool would only be to a member of Europe’s absolute elite.

Despite their financial difficulties in recent years, Barcelona remain of that stature as a club. And according to Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), Salah is on their shortlist.

For a deal to be possible, they have to hope Liverpool decide to cash in on Salah in the summer. It has otherwise been predicted that the Egypt international could remain at Anfield until the end of his contract.

But if Liverpool opt to sell instead, Barcelona will be keen to try their luck. They appear to have lost the race for Borussia Dortmund centre-forward Erling Haaland, who could be joining Manchester City, so are eyeing alternatives.

Liverpool know time is up for defender Joe Gomez as move likely

Liverpool will sell Joe Gomez this summer with Aston Villa and Newcastle the main clubs interested

Also on their radar, per Mundo Deportivo, are Chelsea duo Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner. Further afield, they are looking at Rafael Leao of AC Milan and Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen.

Salah, although not an out-and-out centre-forward, would arguably be the most reliable recruit. It remains unclear what kind of price Liverpool may demand for him in the upcoming transfer window.

Salah still hopeful of Liverpool stay – on his terms

Should Salah end up making the move to Camp Nou, he would be following in the footsteps of Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho. The transfer from Liverpool worked out well for the former, but not for the latter.

It is believed that Salah’s preference is to stay exactly where he is with Liverpool. To do so, though, they must improve the terms of his current contract to reflect his status as one of the world’s very best.

As he nears the age of 30, Liverpool must weigh up all the financial implications. Any huge deal could also have consequences for other players seeking new deals, such as fellow forwards Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. They are both due to become free agents in the same year as Salah.

Although the Reds have been preparing for the future by signing Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz, losing each of their famed front three would be a blow. They must now work to ensure their front-line remains healthy for years to come.

Only time will tell if Salah will be a part of that, or if he makes the much-anticipated move to La Liga for the first time in his career.

READ MORE: Luis Diaz told he is way off ‘impossible’ level at Liverpool due to ‘wrong decisions’ in dire warning