Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah has reportedly reached an agreement in principle over a new contract with the Reds, but there is still one more hoop to jump through before a renewal can be sealed.
From Wednesday onwards, the Egypt international will be free to enter into discussions with foreign teams over a pre-contract agreement, as is standard with a player in the last six months of their deal.
After providing another goal and assist in Liverpool's 5-0 crushing of West Ham United over the weekend, Salah admitted that he and the club were still some way off striking an accord over a renewal.
As Salah continues to run down the last few months of his existing deal, clubs in the Saudi Pro League are believed to be attentive to the situation after Al-Ittihad's failed £150m approach in 2023.
However, Football Insider now reports that Liverpool have taken a huge step towards securing the signature of the former Chelsea and Roma man, who has now agreed a new deal with the club in principle.
Salah renewal 'held up' over image rights
© Imago
The report adds that an image rights dispute is currently preventing Liverpool from formally tying Salah down to fresh terms, although that is now the biggest obstacle to an official announcement.
The attacker's public ploy that a renewal is not imminent is allegedly a tactic he has been persuaded to use by his advisors, who believe that such statements to the media will put pressure on Liverpool to give them what they want.
That strategy will seemingly pay dividends, as there is a growing feeling that Salah will soon officially put pen to paper, ending Saudi Arabia, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain's hopes of signing him on a free transfer.
Salah is holding all the cards in contract talks with the Reds thanks to his outstanding form in the 2024-25 season, where he has registered an astounding 20 goals and 17 assists in just 26 games in all tournaments.
No player has come up with more Premier League goals (17) or assists (13) than Salah in the current campaign, as Liverpool sit eight points clear of closest challengers Nottingham Forest at the top of the table.
What about Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk?
© Imago
All Salah-related rumours must be taken with that little pinch of salt until the announcement from the club is released, but this latest development would certainly make for a happy new year for the Anfield faithful.
News of the winger apparently edging closer to a new deal comes just a couple of hours after Liverpool supposedly rejected an opening advance from Real Madrid for Trent Alexander-Arnold, also out of contract in 2025.
The Spanish champions did not even get as far as presenting their financial package before being rebuffed by the Reds, who remain in constant dialogue with his team over a new deal.
Meanwhile, it was reported a while back that Virgil van Dijk had accepted an offer to extend his stay on Merseyside, but as that has not been made official by the club yet, he is still free to engage in talks with foreign sides from next month.
Inter Milan was recently touted as a possible destination, but it is believed that the Serie A champions have baulked at the Dutchman's salary demands.
Ben Knapton
