Liverpool target Michael Olise as Mohamed Salah considers Italy move
Mohamed Salah could reject lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia in favour of a move to Italy when he leaves Liverpool at the end of the season, according to former defender Jamie Carragher.
The 33-year-old Egyptian international sent shockwaves through Merseyside last week by confirming his imminent departure from Anfield.
His exit will draw the curtain on a glittering nine-year spell that saw him become the club’s all-time Premier League top scorer.
Resisting the Saudi Pro League
Saudi Arabian clubs have made the prolific forward their primary transfer target for several successive windows.
With his impending status as a free agent, a long-anticipated switch to the Gulf state appeared to be a formality for the global icon.
However, Anfield legend Carragher believes the player’s elite mentality will keep him in European football.
Champions League ambitions
“I think Mo Salah, the way he’s driven like a Ronaldo, I don’t see the Saudi thing just yet,” Carragher said on The Overlap podcast.
“I can see him in Italy with one of the giants.”
“I just think your career’s over when you go there [Saudi Arabia].”
“I think he’ll still be looking at his Champions League record or how many goals he can get.”
“I still think he thinks, ‘I’m still one of the best players, and me leaving now is not the end of my top-level career, I’ve still got something to give’.”
Search for a successor
Attention on Merseyside has already shifted towards finding a suitable replacement for their departing talisman.
Bayern Munich attacker Michael Olise has emerged as a tantalising option following a sensational campaign in Germany.
The former Crystal Palace star has cemented his status as one of Europe’s premier attacking talents by racking up 16 goals and 27 assists.
Bavarian obstacle
Any hopes of prising the French youth international away from the Bundesliga appear highly unlikely at this stage.
The German giants view the dynamic winger as central to their long-term project and have no intention of sanctioning a sale.
Furthermore, lingering frustration remains behind the scenes in Munich after the English side recently hijacked a previous transfer bid.
