Liverpool have reportedly moved closer to reaching a major contract breakthrough in conversations with star forward Mohamed Salah.
The Egypt international is on course to enjoy the greatest individual Premier League season of all time as he continues to streak clear in the race for the Golden Boot and Playmaker Awards.
Salah has amassed an astounding 27 goals and 17 assists in 29 Premier League games this term, in spite of the constant uncertainty surrounding his contract situation at Anfield.
As things stand, the former Chelsea and Roma attacker is still able to leave for nothing at the end of the current season, and he has been free to hold pre-contract talks with foreign teams since January.
However, according to Egyptian outlet Masrawy, Liverpool have now stepped up their efforts to keep the 32-year-old at the club, and an agreement is now closer than ever before.
Salah receives contract proposal 'higher than any before'
© Imago
A source with apparent knowledge of the situation told the publication: "Liverpool's management has opened negotiations with Rami Abbas, Mohamed Salah's agent, to renew the Egyptian star's contract with Liverpool for the time being.
"Negotiations between Liverpool and Rami Abbas, Salah's agent, are much more advanced this time than ever before, and the offer presented is higher than any offer made to the player before."
It was reported that Liverpool had made an opening offer to extend Salah's contract back in December, but updates on the Egypt international's situation have been scarce ever since.
Salah has not been shy in claiming that he is playing the 2024-25 season as if it is his 'last' at Liverpool, who have arguably reached the status of Premier League champions-elect as they sit 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal in the table.
Salah's immense goalscoring form this season has seen the 32-year-old become the Reds' all-time third-highest goalscorer of all time, sitting on 243 strikes and 110 assists from 392 matches in a Liverpool shirt since 2017.
Salah to sign new deal thanks to Alexander-Arnold exit?
© Imago
The ex-Roma attacker is currently one of three key Liverpool cogs due to become free agents in the summer, a list that also includes right-back and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool's attempts to keep their boyhood defender have apparently ended in failure, as Alexander-Arnold is now said to have decided to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, but his exit will supposedly free up the space needed on the wage bill needed to pay Salah what he wants.
The source added: "Arnold's imminent departure from Liverpool will be a major factor in Salah's contract renewal, following the reduction of the club's high salaries, allowing the Egyptian star to be given what he desires in his new contract with the Reds."
Salah is already Liverpool's highest-paid player on £350,000 a week - according to Capology - while Alexander-Arnold's deal sees the England international take home £180,000 a week.
Virgil van Dijk sits in between both men in second place on the list with a wage packet of £220,000 per week, but there is also optimism that a new deal will be agreed with the Dutchman too.
Ben Knapton
