THE SALAH SAGA: AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE

In the ever-evolving world of football transfers, few stories have been as captivating as the summer’s potential mega-deal involving Liverpool’s talisman, Mohamed Salah.

WEST HAM’S ANTONIO WEIGHS IN

Michail Antonio, the formidable frontman for West Ham, has recently shed some light on the situation.

Speaking candidly about the Egyptian forward’s proposed move to the Saudi Pro League, Antonio suggested that Salah was, in essence, ‘set and ready’ for a new chapter in his illustrious career.

THE BID THAT SHOOK THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Al-Ittihad, the football behemoth from Jeddah, had their eyes set on Salah.

Their audacious bid was believed to be in the ballpark of €150 million to €200 million.

This figure was not only monumental but had the potential to dwarf the previous Pro League record.

For context, Neymar’s move to Al-Hilal was sealed for a mere €90 million.

But as the clock ticked and the English transfer window drew to a close, Liverpool’s hierarchy remained resolute.

They were unwilling to part with their prize asset, even in the face of such staggering financial temptation.

ANTONIO’S CANDID OBSERVATIONS

In his appearance on the BBC’s The Footballer’s Football Podcast, Antonio delved deeper into Salah’s mindset. “He didn’t reject the offer. Liverpool made the call, marking him as non-transferable,” Antonio observed.

The West Ham striker further added, “Salah remained professional throughout. But, trust me, he was poised for the move.”

Drawing on Salah’s achievements, Antonio mused, “What’s left for him at Anfield?

He’s scaled every peak there is. The move to Saudi Arabia would’ve been more than just football – it resonated with his faith too.”

A SEASON IN THE BALANCE?

Antonio did not mince his words regarding Liverpool’s decision. “Imagine, £215m for a player aged 31. It’s baffling that Liverpool didn’t jump at the offer. Even if it meant a challenging season ahead, sometimes you have to think long-term.”

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Mohamed Salah transfer to Saudi Arabia from Liverpool: Sports lawyer Daniel Geey speaks on the impact of the Saudi Pro League during the summer.

After the deadline of September 7 passed there was likely a collective sigh of relief among many clubs, Liverpool among them.

The Reds, having been willing to sell both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho for a combined £52m to Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad respectively, had been forced to reject a late bid for their talismanic star Mohamed Salah, with owners Fenway Sports Group rejecting a £150m bid from Al-Ittihad in the final week of the Saudi Arabian transfer window, which closed a week after the rest of Europe.

Salah stayed, although there had been some concern that another bid of mammoth proportions would emerge at the death that would have been simply too much for the Reds to say no to for a player with two years left on his deal and 31 years old.

Liverpool’s chances of getting back into the lucrative Champions League next season are vastly improved with Salah in the side, while having no chance to replace such an important player meant that it wasn’t something that the club would consider.

There would, of course, have been a point at which Liverpool simply had to say yes from a business perspective, but such a decision never had to be made after the initial £150m bid, which was believed to have been made up of a £100m guaranteed sum and the rest based on a number of contingents, rejected by FSG president Mike Gordon via phone call.

Making that decision could have been easier than it may have appeared.

Speaking to the ECHO’s Bottom Line Podcast, renowned sports lawyer and author Daniel Geey, who has worked on many big transfers and takeover deals during his career, said: “It could be £100m guaranteed but it could be a £15m down payment and £85m over time.

I would have thought that if, for example, it was a £200m bid and all £200m was going to be payable within 30 days of the transfer then it would have been a very different conversation.

“I query whether Liverpool’s position might change next summer when Salah is a year out of contract and perhaps isn’t as valuable, but Liverpool need him firing on all cylinders to get them, as a minimum, back in the Champions League.