Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says he expects Mohamed Salah to leave the club, but suggests that next summer is the best time for all parties to make the move.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad have seen a huge bid of £150m rejected by the Reds for the Egyptian attacker this summer, but a new offer is expected to be made before the Saudi transfer window closes on 7 September.
That fresh bid from Al-Ittihad is likely to be over £200m, which will be extremely difficult for Liverpool to turn down, but Carragher hopes they do.
Carragher says his former club should cash in on the forward before his contract expires in 2025, but they should do that next summer rather than this week.
‘His contract will be up before you know it. I think the feeling among most Liverpool supporters is that we have got him for one more season, rather than him going now, with no chance of bringing anyone in,’ Carragher told talkSPORT.
‘For all parties, it almost feels like next summer. Liverpool would still get a substantial transfer fee, they would have Salah for this season and it would give him the chance of more success.
‘Liverpool would have 12 months to think of someone, if there is anyone out there, to replace him. It is difficult to replace players of that quality, you have to try and use the funds to improve several positions. Great players come and go and sometimes you have to move on.’
Reports suggest that there is confidence in Saudi Arabia that the 31-year-old can be convinced to make the switch this week.
Salah will be made the joint-highest earner in world football alongside Cristiano Ronaldo on a reported £700,000-a-week deal should he accept the switch to Al-Ittihad.
