Liverpool is in a battle to keep Mohamed Salah at the club as negotiations over a new deal continue. The Egyptian, who will be away for the Africa Cup of Nations in January with Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, is not satisfied with the make-up of the team.
Salah believes the team is not competitive enough and has dithered on a new contract. The situation has put Jurgen Klopp in a quandary as they look to beef up their squad. Salah has asked Liverpool to strengthen them to remain competitive.
Liverpool has now set their sights on one of Europe’s most sought after players - Erling Haaland. However, a host of clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona, remain in the hunt for the forward’s signature.
Eyes on Haaland
Liverpool are still sweating on the contract renewal of Mohamed Salah, who has asked the Anfield club to strengthen the squad as part of contract renewal negotiations.
The latest request by Salah has set Liverpool in action mode, and the team has set its sights on Erling Haaland.
Sky Deutschland via Marca reports that Salah made beefing up the squad part of the conditions for signing a renewal at the club during negotiations. According to the report, the Egyptian wants a more competitive squad in the future.
Erling Haaland has thus emerged as a prime target for Liverpool but will face competition from some of Europe’s elite.
Haaland to leave in the summer
Erling Haaland is one of the most sought after players in Europe. The 21-year-old Norwegian has been the subject of interest from several parties who want to prise him away from Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund has tried to stave off suitors, with recent reports suggesting the club was willing to double his salary to keep him at the Signalna. The situation is not in favour of the German club as a €75 million buyout clause in Haaland’s contract will come into effect next summer. It will allow him to negotiate with potential suitors.
Liverpool may have jumped ahead of others in the race to land the free-scoring striker. Klopp had told Bild in August that Haaland would soon be the main talking point of the big clubs, and in December, he hit the headlines.
Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are interested in the player.
Klopp has admitted to being a huge admirer of the Norwegian striker. He said he liked his energy. Klopp was effusive about the forward but not deluded into thinking it would be a stroll in the park to land him. According to the Liverpool manager, other clubs have their eyes on Haaland.
Meanwhile, Salah is yet to sign a contract renewal at Liverpool.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
