The current trend for players is to run their contracts close to their end before negotiating a new deal. With the chance of leaving the club for free, power is ceded to the player as the club would not want to lose him for free.
The player has to be important to the club to attract the kind of attention he desires. Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe are two players that are close to leaving their clubs for free. In January, they would be free to negotiate with other clubs.
At Liverpool, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are close to reaching the end of their contracts which expire in 2023, and the club is keen to tie them to new deals to avoid the Pogba and Mbappe situation.
Breakthrough with Mane, but Salah talks continues
Talks between Liverpool and Mo Salah have been on, with not much to report in terms of progress. Sadio Mane is another Liverpool star whose contract hangs in the balance with the forward, looking to secure a new deal. Liverpool can report updates on the situation of the talks.
With both forwards on contracts that have around 18 months left to run, Liverpool are keen to avoid a situation that would see the players depart for free. Liverpool wants to tie the players to a longer deal despite turning 30 during the current campaign.
The Anfield side is not yet in panic mode, but the situation could arise where Liverpool falls into an uncomfortable position.
According to Fabrizio Romano on the Here We Go Podcast, the club hasd with plans to renew Mane’s contract. The priority at the moment may be Salah, but Liverpool also understands the importance of Mane to the team.
Mane and Salah in imperious form
Liverpool expects nothing but exceptional performances from Sadio Mane and Mo Salah at Liverpool, and in all fairness, the two Africans have not failed to deliver. The 2021/22 season hasd with both players firing on all cylinders like in previous campaigns. Their scoring boots are still intact, with their goals powering them into a title-contending position.
Mo Salah may have stolen the headlines with a haul of 17 goals in all competitions, but Mane is no slouch either.
Only Salah can boast of scoring more Premier League goals than Mane this season. Salah sits atop the Premiership scoring charts with 11 goals, while Sadio Mane is in second place with seven goals. Together they have helped Liverpool to third spot on the log, four points behind league leaders Chelsea.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson all committing their futures to the club, Liverpool expects Salah and Mane to follow suit with the club ready to start negotiations with Mane.
Meanwhile, PSG are one of the reported clubs keeping a close tab on the situation at Anfield.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
