Former Liverpool star and Mohamed Salah’s close friend Dejan Lovren has revealed his thoughts about the 32-year-old player’s expiring contract with the Reds.
The Egyptian’s deal with the current Premier League leaders has been an ongoing concern among the club’s fans, as it is known that he can already sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign teams.
Furthermore, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also seeing their contract expiring at the end of the season.
Despite a stunning form this season with 21 goals and 13 assists in 23 Premier League games, Salah’s deal remains a major talking point.
In an interview with WinWin, one of his close friends and former team-mates Lovren revealed that he thinks Liverpool have not shown Salah enough respect throughout their negotiations.
He said: ‘Salah believes that there are things missing from the club’s side, and I hope it will be resolved soon. But the current reality is that he is closer to leaving than staying.
Former Liverpool star Dejan Lovren has revealed that he think Mohamed Salah ‘is closer to leaving than staying’
The duo spent six years together at Anfield until 2020, when the Croatian moved to Russia
The 32-year-old Egyptian sees his contract expiring despite a stunning season with 21 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League
‘I came to the conclusion that the club doesn’t respect him enough, or not as much as he thinks he deserves, but that’s another side of the conversation, it’s all about what’s going on behind the scenes.
‘He loves Liverpool, by the way he loves Liverpool a lot, and he wants to stay, and that’s the most important part, maybe he sees himself retiring there.’
Lovren’s claims come after Salah hinted multiple times that this could be his last season in the Reds’ shirt after he outlined his desire to win another Premier League title.
Last month, the 32-year-old forward highlighted again that despite five months left on his deal, there is no progress in his negotiations with the club.
Even Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who is enjoying his first-ever campaign with Salah, praised the player, suggesting that he deserves to be named an extraordinary footballer.
After spending six years together playing for the Reds, former team-mate Lovren defended the Egyptian, saying he wanted him to stay.
‘Everyone wants him to stay, and I personally want that too. I called him the other day and said: “Mo, you have to think about yourself. Look at everything I’ve done for this club and what I’m still capable of doing.”
Salah and Lovren remained in contact since the defender’s departure to Zenit St Petersburg in 2020.
Previously, Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised the Reds’ star saying that he deserves to be called an extraordinary footballer
Lovren has advised Salah to ‘think about yourself’ after the Egyptian revealed that there is no progress in his negotiations with the club
The duo developed a strong relationship during six years spent together at Anfield, with the Croatian even congratulating the 32-year-old after his 100th goal for Liverpool back in 2021.
Now, the Egyptian has 237 goals in 383 games for the Reds, placing himself in fourth place on the club’s highest-goalscorer table.
‘I think he doesn’t get enough attention despite these numbers, because if it was Messi or Ronaldo, we would see daily talk about why his contract wasn’t renewed and why the right offer wasn’t made to him,’ added Lovren.
‘I called him the other day and said: “Mo, you have to think about yourself. Look at everything I’ve done for this club and what I’m still capable of doing.’
The Croatian explained that the friendship started with their shared passion for coffee after Salah asked him if he would like the drink at an airport.
Lovren now plays in the Greek side PAOK. The former Southampton and Lyon defender made seven appearances this season, but is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
When quizzed whether Saudi Pro League might be a future option for Salah, he said: ‘If he leaves, yes, why not?! As you know, the Saudi league is starting to become more competitive.
‘I think if Mo goes there, he will be one of the biggest stars, and it will be a huge marketing boom for the league, and he will definitely attract some fans with him, so let’s wait and see what happens.’
Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh has signalled Al-Hilal’s intent to sign the Egyptian after the recent Neymar’s exit to Santos
In January, Alalshikh shared a picture of Salah in an Al-Hilal kit on his Facebook page
During the winter transfer window, it was revealed that Saudi Arabia’s chiefs were keen to bring the player, offering the player a staggering £65million deal across two seasons.
Furthermore, Turki Alalshikh – the Saudi General Entertainment Authority chairman – shared a picture of Salah in an Al-Hilal kit on his social media pages in December.
The league champions have shown clear interest, especially after terminating Neymar’s contract – who later joined his boyhood club Santos.
Should the Egyptian decide to complete the move, he could join former European football stars such as Joao Cancelo, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly.
