Liverpool's summer transfer business will reportedly hinge on the outcome of contract talks with star attacker Mohamed Salah.
The former Chelsea and Roma man is expected to stay on at Anfield for the Reds' first campaign under Arne Slot, despite continued interest from the lucrative Saudi Pro League teams.
Salah was the subject of a failed £150m offer from Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023, and there were reports of the Saudi Arabian champions coming back in with a £200m offer, which did not materialise.
Jurgen Klopp's departure from the Merseyside giants led to heightened speculation over the future of Salah, who will be able to leave the club as a free agent in the summer of 2025 as things stand.
Liverpool are determined to avoid such a scenario from coming to fruition, but as an exit this summer has been more or less ruled out, the Reds are working to tie him to new terms as a matter of urgency.
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Salah talks 'will dictate Liverpool transfer activity'
According to The Mirror, the outcome of negotiations with Salah's camp will play a critical role in shaping Liverpool's transfer strategy for the summer window, as they could end up trying to offload him if it becomes clear that he will not sign new terms.
Fenway Sports Group's new CEO of Football Michael Edwards has reportedly made contract talks with the 31-year-old his "principle" task, alongside directors Julian Ward and Richard Hughes.
Should the Reds fail to reach an agreement with Salah's entourage by August, they will reluctantly entertain offers and enter the market for a new winger to replace one of their greatest players in history.
Salah contributed another 25 goals and 14 assists from 44 matches in the 2023-24 campaign, taking his total for the Reds to 211 goals and 89 assists in 349 matches since his move from Roma in 2017.
Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also see their contracts expire in 2025, but Liverpool are reportedly expecting negotiations with both defenders to progress without too many roadblocks.
What positions are Liverpool targeting this summer?
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A couple of replacements for Salah have already been mooted, including West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus and PSV Eindhoven's Johan Bakayoko, whom Slot knows from his time in the Eredivisie.
The newly-appointed Liverpool manager has apparently given the green light for his side to make a move for Bakayoko, although his future is unlikely to be resolved before Belgium's Euro 2024 campaign ends.
A new defensive midfielder and centre-back are also on the Reds' wishlist, as Alexis Mac Allister and the ageing Wataru Endo rotated in the number six slot in 2023-24, although the former is more comfortable further forward.
Tyler Morton would offer a home-grown solution and has excelled in the Championship on loan at Hull City and Blackburn Rovers, but he is thought to be the subject of interest from RB Leipzig.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Lille's Leny Yoro are believed to be on Liverpool's centre-back shortlist, although Real Madrid are considered the favourites to sign the latter.
Ben Knapton
