Gary Lineker has opened up about Mo Salah’s playful side, revealing the Liverpool star jokingly spoke about leaving the club “for the money” amid ongoing speculation about a move to Saudi Arabia.
Salah’s future at Anfield remains uncertain, with just 137 days left on his current contract. If an agreement isn’t reached, Liverpool could lose their star player on a free transfer, risking his remarkable goal-scoring talent elsewhere.
Salah’s potential departure has been a source of concern for Liverpool fans, especially with reports suggesting that clubs in Saudi Arabia could offer him a salary beyond his expectations. It’s even claimed that he has received an offer of £65 million over two years. However, the 32-year-old seems unruffled by the situation, maintaining a relaxed attitude. While speaking with Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, Salah joked about following in Lineker’s footsteps and moving overseas for one last lucrative deal.
Lineker shared his experience on The Rest is Football podcast: “I spent 10 minutes with him when I went to Anfield to interview Arne Slot, and we had a good chat.”
Alan Shearer, Lineker’s co-host, then asked whether he had managed to find out if Salah would stay or leave Liverpool. Lineker responded, explaining Salah’s lighthearted comments: “He asked me, ‘How old were you when you finished playing?’ I said, ‘I was 32 when I left English football, then I played in Japan for a couple of years.’ He then joked, ‘Oh, you went for the money, did you?’ I replied, ‘Well, yeah, I suppose so.’ He winked at the press guy and said, ‘Yeah, I might do the same!’ It was just a joke, but Mo has a cheeky sense of humour.”
While Salah’s comments were made in jest, rumors about his departure continue to swirl. Recently, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, posted a photo of Salah in an Al-Hilal kit, fueling speculation.
However, sources close to the player have maintained that Salah’s primary goal is to secure a new deal with Liverpool. Negotiations are ongoing, and despite Gary Neville revealing Salah’s high financial demands, an agreement has not yet been reached.
Salah himself has been open about the progress of talks. Last year, he stated, “We’re almost in December, and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay at the club. I’ve been here for many years. There’s no club like this. But ultimately, it’s not in my hands. The decision lies with the club and not with me or the fans.”
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has also addressed the uncertainty surrounding Salah’s future. He expressed hope that Salah would sign a new deal but admitted he was relieved not to be dealing with the stress of negotiations. Klopp commented, “I hope he stays. He’s the best striker Liverpool have had in modern times. There have been other great strikers, but he’s a fantastic player and an outstanding human being. The best ambassador your country could have. I hope he stays at Liverpool.”
In other Liverpool news, the club has confirmed that midfielder Jayden Danns has joined Sunderland on loan for the rest of the season, following the signing of a new long-term contract with Liverpool. Additionally, 21-year-old Dominic Corness has moved to League Two’s Gillingham, while Liverpool rejected an offer for Tyler Morton from another Championship club after they failed to meet the club’s valuation.
Meanwhile, concerns have grown over the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with reports suggesting that a move to Real Madrid is “90% done” for the right-back. The transfer is reportedly driven by Alexander-Arnold’s desire to join the Spanish club.
