Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Paper Talk: Exit ‘likely’ as Mohamed Salah contract reality hits home for Liverpool

Mohamed Salah in Premier League action for Liverpool

Liverpool have growing fears about their Mohamed Salah contract talks and fear his exit this summer, Erling Haaland has made a big admission on his Borussia Dortmund future, while Saturday’s transfer gossip has news of a superb double deal at Arsenal.

MOHAMED SALAH CONTRACT DEMANDS WILL NOT BE MET BY LIVERPOOL

Liverpool are in serious danger of losing Mohamed Salah this summer amid claims they are not prepared to meet the Egyptian’s salary demands.

Salah is now in the final 18 months of his Anfield deal, which currently pays the player around £200,000 a week.

Talks over an extension have been going on for some time – but an agreement is proving tricky to reach. Reports indicate that Salah wants a deal worth around £400,000 a week. And while Liverpool are willing to negotiate a payrise, they simply will not go that high.

Now, as per the Daily Telegraph, the stand-off is showing no signs of easing and a heartbreaking summer exit may be on the cards.

Liverpool are not challenging Salah publicly about his demands. However, behind the scenes it’s intimated that they are fearing the worst.

Salah recently spoke out about his contract stand-off with Liverpool, claiming he’s not “asking for crazy stuff”.

“I want to stay, but it is not in my hands,” he told GQ. “It is in their hands. They know what I want. I am not asking for crazy stuff. The thing is when you ask for something and they show you they can give you something.

“I’m here for my fifth year now. I know the club very well. I love the fans. The fans love me. But with the administration, they have (been) told the situation. It is in their hands.”

Klopp honest amid Mohamed Salah contract talks

Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, is making it perfectly clear that he wants Salah to stay.

Salah doesn’t want anything crazy from Liverpool

Salah doesn’t want anything crazy from Liverpool

Liverpool have been told by Salah that he doesn’t want crazy stuff to stay at Anfield

“We know, I know, Mo wants to stay, we want Mo to stay. That’s the point where we are and that these things take time, I cannot change. Sorry. But I think it’s all in a good place. Nothing else to say,” he said.

“I’m very positive about it but I don’t think it makes sense that you speak on behalf of the fans because I’m pretty sure the fans are not as nervous as you are.

“They know the club pretty long and know the people dealing here with the different things pretty long, so I think there are enough reasons for being positive but as long as it is not done we cannot say anything about it.

“But, good conversations – that’s what I can say.”

Liverpool are reportedly chasing FC Porto’s Luis Diaz and Raphinha of Leeds as potential replacements.

ARSENAL NEARING VLAHOVIC, ARTHUR SIGNINGS

Dusan Vlahovic, Fiorentina striker in Serie A action against Salernitana

Arsenal are nearing a breakthrough in their efforts to sign Dusan Vlahovic, who the Gunners want to spend £58m on. (Metro)

The Gunners are also in advanced talks with Juventus over a six-month loan for Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo. (Daily Telegraph)

Paris Saint-Germain are re-opening contract talks with Kylian Mbappe in a desperate attempt to keep him at the club beyond the summer. (Daily Telegraph)

Erling Haaland says he is being pressured by Borussia Dortmund to make a decision about his future, while a host of top clubs prepare moves. (The Guardian)

Antonio Conte is refusing to offer any assurances over his Tottenham future and says he is only focusing on the present. (The Guardian)

Vlahovic looks likely to end up staying at Fiorentina this month as his suitors are all struggling to find the £58m needed to sign the in-demand striker. (The Sun)

RONALDO INJURY CONCERNS FOR MAN UTD

Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd

Cristiano Ronaldo looks an early injury doubt and may miss Manchester United’s clash with Aston Villa after leaving training early on Friday with a thigh injury. (The Sun)

Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi is undergoing intensive English language classes and looks likely to become Manchester United’s next manager. (The Sun)

Ronaldo is reportedly “baffled” by his Manchester United teammates’ poor attitude towards training. (The Sun)

Sunderland are planning a reunion with striker Jermain Defoe, who is now a free agent after leaving Rangers this week. (The Sun)

Pape Gueye has been banned from all football pending an investigation into the mysterious circumstances of his move to Marseille from Watford in 2020. (Daily Mail)

BURNLEY CHASING ANDY CARROLL

Former Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll 2021

Burnley are preparing a move for Reading’s former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll as a replacement for Chris Wood. The 33-year-old will be available on a free transfer at the end of January. (Daily Mail)

Wolves are willing to listen to offers for defender Willy Boly, while he’s likely to return from a calf injury next month. (Daily Mail)

Tanguy Ndombele is training on his own following a big call from Antonio Conte that looks likely to result in his Tottenham exit. (Daily Mail)

Former Burnley owner Mike Garlick may regain control of the club if they fail to avoid relegation to the Championship. That’s possible due to a clause in the deal which saw him sell up 13 months ago. (Daily Mail)

Jurgen Klopp hopes goalkeeper Loris Karius will be able to find himself a new club and leave Anfield this month. (Daily Mail)

AND MORE TRANSFER GOSSIP

Newcastle and Watford are battling it out for the signature of highly-rated Nantes forward Ludovic Blas. (Daily Star)

Sheffield United striker Lys Mousset must lose weight if he’s to get back into their first-team plans. (Daily Mirror)

Real Madrid are plotting a sensational raid on Barcelona for Liverpool target Ronald Araujo. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers are still weighing up whether to stump up a transfer fee to Hearts for defender John Souttar and secure his signature this month. (Daily Record)

Arsenal are ready to recall young midfielder Miguel Azeez from his loan spell with Portsmouth following concerns over his number of minutes. (Daily Express)