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Mohamed Salah has put the brakes on signing a contract extension at Liverpool after Barcelona declared their interest in his services.
The Reds are already in the middle of a testing period with star winger Sadio Mane set for the Anfield exit door this summer.
Now, the Mirror report that the 29-year-old Egyptian is also having second thoughts on his long-term future following contact from representatives in Catalonia.
According to the report, Barca have assured Salah they will table an attractive deal for him to head to the Camp Nou one year from now on a free transfer.
The forward, who won a third Premier League Golden Boot last term, has 12 months remaining on his current contract and no new agreement has been reached despite months of talks.
He did at least reassure Reds fans of his immediate future prior to last month’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, saying: “I don’t want to talk about the contract now. I’m staying next season for sure, that’s clear.”
However, the situation is far from straightforward for his employers, who will be desperate not to lose a talismanic figure for no fee.
In an ideal world, Jurgen Klopp would like to keep hold of Salah for much longer but his salary demands are said to significantly surpass the club’s long-standing wage limits.
With negotiations so far proving unsuccessful, it looks to be a choice between receiving a fee this summer or letting him go for nothing next term.
With Mane seemingly bound for Bayern Munich, the Merseysiders are already looking at fresh forward options.
One name linked with the FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners has been Leeds winger Raphinha, though the Brazilian is ready to snub any approach according to the Express.
In other news
Real Madrid are ready to hijack Arsenal’s move for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, claim the Sun.
The Daily Mail say Manchester City are keeping tabs on Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka, though the 20-year-old is unlikely to leave the Emirates until next summer.
Chelsea are considering Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt as an option in their centre-back search according to talkSPORT, with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde still their preferred choice.
