Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the current season, with Rangers consultant Stig Inge Bjornebye revealing the Scottish club have internally discussed the forward’s next move.
The Egyptian international confirmed his impending departure from Anfield during the March international break.
He will exit the Premier League giants this summer despite his existing contract running until 2027.
A lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia has been heavily suggested as the next step for the 33-year-old.
Rangers hold internal talks over attacker’s future
Former Liverpool player Bjornebye is currently operating as a football advisor at Ibrox on an initial six-month deal.
The former Norway international admitted the Scottish Premiership side have been speaking about the prolific goalscorer’s availability.
“I don’t know what Mo’s plans are – we discussed it at work today as well, as I’m an advisor to Rangers,” Bjornebye told Egyptian channel Modern MTI.
“We discussed where he’ll go and so on.”
Bjornebye noted that the matter of the forward’s future had been resolved following heated discussions last year.
Anfield legacy and further departures
The lightning-fast winger has established himself as one of the most devastating attackers in world football since arriving on Merseyside in 2017.
Bjornebye believes supporters will fully respect the player’s decision to seek a fresh challenge after nine highly successful years.
“He is a true legend at Liverpool and has achieved a remarkable legacy for a great club,” he added.
“I think most people can accept that he has given the club many great years and now wants to seize a new opportunity, perhaps embarking on another adventure.”
The former Roma man is not the only key figure preparing to bid farewell to the six-time European champions.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson also announced earlier this month that he will leave Anfield when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.
RB Leipzig have warned Liverpool that highly rated forward Yan Diomande will not be sold during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Reds have identified the 19-year-old as a primary target to replace the departing Mohamed Salah at Anfield.
However, Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff has issued a strict hands-off warning to any potential Premier League suitors.
‘No matter what price is asked’
The Ivory Coast international is enjoying a stellar debut campaign in Germany, netting 12 times in the Bundesliga so far this season.
That impressive form has resulted in a valuation of approximately £87m for the versatile attacker.
Despite the lucrative figures being discussed, Mintzlaff remains adamant that the teenage sensation must stay to continue his development.
Mintzlaff told Sky Germany:
“I can say: If I were sporting director, I wouldn’t sell this young player, who hasn’t even completed a full season with us. No matter what price is being asked.”
Champions League ambitions
The Leipzig hierarchy accept that their prized asset will eventually seek a lucrative move to a European heavyweight.
Mintzlaff acknowledged that Bayern Munich, alongside top-flight clubs in England and Spain, are natural next steps for developing talent.
Yet, the German outfit expects their breakout star to remain for at least a second season to thoroughly test himself on the continental stage.
The chairman of the supervisory board added:
“We want to play in the Champions League. And that’s naturally an argument for such a young player, to then deliver what he’s shown in a second season.”
The lightning-fast striker recently showcased his creative abilities by providing an assist in a comfortable 3-1 victory over Union Berlin on Friday.
With Salah’s contract expiring at the end of the season, the Merseyside club face a crucial period as they scour the market for elite attacking reinforcements.
Tottenham travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon seeking a desperately needed victory to salvage their Premier League survival hopes.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are currently stranded two points from safety and remain without a league win this calendar year.
With only five games remaining in the campaign, the emotional toll of this fraught relegation scrap is mounting.
Rivals turn up the heat
Results elsewhere have done the north London club no favours over a punishing past week.
Nottingham Forest moved five points clear of the drop zone by emphatically beating Burnley, while Leeds United secured a vital draw at Bournemouth.
The bleak situation leaves the Lilywhites facing a potential straight shootout for top-flight survival against West Ham, who host Everton today.
‘We cannot forget the table’
The Italian head coach has acknowledged the severity of the crisis engulfing his squad ahead of kickoff.
“For sure, what we have done until now is not enough. We can’t forget the table.”
Roberto De Zerbi
A failure to secure maximum points at Molineux could see the troubled outfit match their longest-ever run without a top-flight victory.
Search for a turning point
The current reality is a stark contrast to September’s reverse fixture, when the capital club sat comfortably in third place.
Now, they languish third from bottom and are heavy favourites to join Wolves and Burnley in dropping down to the Championship.
Despite their perilous league standing, the former Brighton manager was encouraged by his players’ performance against his old club last weekend.
“If we win in Wolverhampton, it’s not finished yet. There are four other games, but I think now we deserve to win a game.”
Roberto De Zerbi
The under-fire boss is now reportedly living at the Hotspur Way training ground as he works tirelessly to engineer an unlikely escape.
Manchester City have opened high-level discussions with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca amid growing expectations that Pep Guardiola will leave the club to manage the Italian national team.
The 44-year-old Italian tactician is currently a free agent having recently resigned from his post at Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggest the Premier League champions are actively preparing for life after their historic treble-winning boss.
Guardiola linked with Italy vacancy
Speculation surrounds the future of the Catalan coach, whose departure from the Etihad Stadium is increasingly anticipated this summer.
The vacant head coach position for the Azzurri has emerged as a primary destination following Gennaro Gattuso’s recent exit.
Taking charge of the four-time World Cup winners would represent a first foray into international management for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich mastermind.
Chelsea target record deal for Shaw
In the Women’s Super League, the Blues have reportedly made a historic contract offer to Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw.
The proposed deal for the prolific 29-year-old Jamaican international is believed to be worth at least £1m per year.
The reigning WSL Golden Boot winner sees her current contract in the north-west expire at the end of the current campaign.
Fabregas commits to Como project
Elsewhere, Cesc Fabregas has publicly dismissed speculation linking him with a return to West London to replace Maresca.
The Spanish World Cup winner insists his complete focus remains on his ongoing managerial project at Serie A side Como.
This clarification comes after the Italian club’s ownership admitted they would not block a potential move to the Premier League heavyweights.
Nottingham Forest moved a step closer to Premier League survival after Vitor Pereira’s side delivered a stunning 5-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The East Midlands outfit extended their unbeaten league run to six matches with a devastating first-half display.
Four goals before the break blew the Black Cats away, establishing an eight-point cushion over the relegation zone.
Forest manager Pereira had challenged his players to produce elite-level performances during the crucial run-in.
“I asked my team to play at the level of Champions League because the Premier League is our Champions League.”
First-half blitz stuns Stadium of Light
The visitors opened the scoring in fortuitous circumstances when an Igor Jesus header deflected in off unwitting defender Trai Hume.
However, there was nothing lucky about the ensuing six-minute spell that completely dismantled the home defence.
Chris Wood capitalised on a glaring error by goalkeeper Robin Roefs to double the advantage.
Superb strikes from Morgan Gibbs-White and a second for Jesus quickly followed, leaving the Wearsiders in tatters long before the interval.
Midfielder Elliot Anderson then compounded the misery for Regis Le Bris’ side with a late fifth goal in the closing stages.
Safety not yet secured
Despite pulling away from the bottom three, the Portuguese head coach refuses to declare their survival mission accomplished.
With four matches remaining in the campaign, Pereira insists his squad cannot afford to lose focus.
“In my opinion, it isn’t enough, it isn’t enough, it isn’t enough. We need more points and we need to keep our mentality. We cannot relax.”
The commanding victory places immense pressure on relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United ahead of their weekend fixtures.
Rather than monitoring those crucial matches, the Forest boss plans to spend his two days off relaxing away from football.
“For sure, I will not watch the games because I suffer with my games, that’s enough. Maybe I will be at home, maybe drinking a pint, but not watching the games.”
‘Like a punch in the face’
The heavy defeat leaves Sunderland reflecting on a disastrous evening in front of their own supporters.
The hosts sat 10 points ahead of their opponents before kick-off but were comprehensively outplayed in every department.
Black Cats manager Le Bris admitted the performance fell alarmingly short of expectations.
“It hurts, it’s painful because it’s not the face we want to show, so for the players, I think it was like a punch in their face, and for me as well.”
The French tactician praised the home faithful, conceding that the fans were significantly better than his team on the night.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe asked to be substituted with a suspected hamstring injury during a 1-1 draw against Real Betis that severely dents the club’s LaLiga title hopes.
The French World Cup winner was withdrawn in the 81st minute after feeling discomfort and headed straight down the tunnel at La Cartuja.
Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed the substitution was precautionary, with Spanish media reporting a potential issue in his left leg.
Further medical tests are scheduled for Saturday to determine the full extent of the damage.
He felt some discomfort. We’ll see how he evolves over the next few days.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Late heartbreak for Los Blancos
The injury scare compounded a highly frustrating evening for the visitors in Seville.
Vinicius Junior had initially fired the reigning European champions into an early lead after just 17 minutes.
However, Hector Bellerin struck a 94th-minute equaliser to snatch a dramatic point for the hosts.
The result leaves Arbeloa’s squad trailing league leaders Barcelona by eight points, with the Catalan side holding a game in hand.
World Cup preparations loom
Any prolonged absence for the 25-year-old would be a significant blow to both his club and country.
The prolific striker has been in scintillating domestic form, netting 24 times in 28 league appearances this campaign.
France will also be monitoring the medical reports closely ahead of their World Cup opener against Senegal on 16 June.
Meanwhile, a depleted Madrid squad must regroup for their next fixture against Espanyol before a crucial Clasico showdown.
Penalty controversy adds to woes
The Spanish giants have now secured victory in just one of their last six matches across all competitions.
Their latest setback was not without controversy, as officials waved away late appeals for a handball against Betis defender Ricardo Rodriguez.
It’s a clear penalty, with the arm out. There isn’t much else to see, it’s very clear… They’re decisions that affect the game a lot.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Millwall have climbed to second in the Championship table after securing a dramatic late 1-1 draw against relegated Leicester City.
The visitors arrived at the King Power Stadium knowing a positive result would significantly boost their automatic promotion ambitions.
Despite trailing for much of the contest, the south Londoners showed immense resilience to salvage a crucial point on the road.
Foxes frustrated by late drama
Leicester City had looked on course to claim all three points in front of their expectant home supporters.
The former Premier League champions controlled long spells of the match but ultimately failed to put the game beyond reach.
Dropping late points will serve as a bitter blow to the hosts as they navigate the rigorous demands of England’s second tier.
Lions roar into promotion contention
Securing a result against such high-calibre opposition underscores the growing momentum building within the visiting squad.
Moving into the top two represents a massive psychological boost for a club fiercely determined to reach the top flight.
This vital late intervention ensures they maintain intense pressure on the league leaders as the Championship campaign unfolds.
Liverpool’s hierarchy intends to retain Arne Slot as head coach for next season despite a challenging campaign for the defending Premier League champions.
The Anfield club currently sit fifth in the top flight, 15 points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
They have also been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions and the Champions League.
Injuries mitigate heavy summer spending
Club executives reportedly accept that severe injury issues have derailed their title defence.
Heavy summer investment brought Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to Merseyside.
However, long-term absences for both Isak and Ekitike have significantly hampered the Dutch head coach.
Despite acknowledging these mitigating factors, board members remain concerned by a series of vulnerable defensive performances.
Champions League qualification remains crucial
Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher believes the manager’s future now hinges on European qualification.
“The noises I am hearing is Slot will be the Liverpool manager next season if they can secure Champions League qualification,” said Carragher.
The Merseyside outfit require nine points from their remaining five league fixtures to guarantee a top-five finish.
The manager confirmed he is already involved in preliminary discussions regarding the upcoming campaign.
“There are conversations about next season but my main focus is this season,” he stated.
His side host Crystal Palace on Saturday, an opponent they have failed to beat in three previous meetings this term.