Barcelona are still interested in Mohamed Salah and are planning to make a bid for the striker while Liverpool and his entourage are still stuck in negotiations over a new contract.
Barcelona was one of the top clubs linked to Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. The operation was a financial issue that Barcelona did not have at the moment, despite the good relationship of club president Joan Laporta with Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola.
The 21-year-old Norwegian striker is now on his way to Manchester City according to reports, and Barcelona, still looking for a move for the striker, have chosen to diversify their signing options.
Salah was identified a few months ago as the replacement for the Catalan giants who are seeking to rebuild their club with one marketable name after the departure of Lionel Messi.
Salah is considered one of the best players in the world and is a commercial success as well. Al-Masry’s move to Camp Nou next season will not only be beneficial to the Catalans in terms of their football project, but will also help them regain the financial position they lost due to the embezzlement of the previous administration led by Josep Maria Bartomeu. .
Barcelona have also struck a massive sponsorship deal with audio-streaming giants Spotify that will see £236m pumped into their coffers next season to help rebuild their club. Reports now claim that the club is looking to sign five other players in addition to Salah.
But the Blaugrana have a small problem in their pursuit of Salah. The 29-year-old has told Liverpool he wants to stay and has reportedly restarted contract talks with Liverpool through his agents. His current contract at Anfield expires in 2023 and Liverpool are not planning to let his contract run out, or at least let him leave with less than a premium.
It is also reported that Liverpool offered Salah a contract worth 400,000 pounds per week, which he has not yet registered.
Elsewhere, unconfirmed reports say Liverpool have agreed to personal terms for Benfica star Darwin Nunez.
Sports Illustrated Allegations that sources close to the situation have stated that Nunez’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has rejected offers from other clubs because the player wants to play under Jurgen Klopp’s leadership at Liverpool.
The Uruguayan is rated at £36m and has been one of the best strikers of the season in Europe. He has attracted the interest of all the top clubs too, who have all promised to increase his current £31,000-a-week wages.
Liverpool have allegedly agreed to offer him £60,000-a-week, but all that stands between the striker and his preferred move to Anfield is a transfer fee agreement between Benfica and Liverpool.
Benfica are currently third in the Portuguese league and risk losing the Champions League next season. This may prompt them to take advantage of Nunez, who will make reasonable profits from their investment in him in 2020.
Liverpool are set to lose Divock Origi and possibly Roberto Firmino, and will hope to replace them with a striker of Nunez’ caliber.
It remains to be seen what happens to these links.
