Jamie Carragher’s Behind-the-Scenes Shift in Stance on Mohamed Salah Amidst £150m Saudi Bid
On the dramatic backdrop of transfer deadline day, Liverpool faced a substantial test when Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Pro League club, tabled a staggering £150 million offer for their star player, Mohamed Salah. The bid, exceeding the £100 million mark with various add-ons, promptly ignited a frenzy of discussions and debates within the footballing world.
Liverpool, however, held their ground, asserting that the Egyptian forward was unequivocally not for sale. Salah, who had only penned a new three-year contract with the Reds the previous summer, seemed to be a cornerstone of Liverpool’s future plans.
Amidst the fervor surrounding the bid, Gary Neville, the renowned Manchester United legend and football pundit, added an intriguing twist to the narrative. He revealed that his fellow pundit and former Liverpool player, Jamie Carragher, had experienced an off-camera change of heart regarding the potential sale of Salah.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville pointed out, “This man has just changed his mind off camera,” alluding to Carragher’s shift in perspective. Carragher’s revised stance, it turned out, leaned towards encouraging Al-Ittihad to increase their bid to a jaw-dropping £200 million.
Carragher, however, took the opportunity to explain his rationale. “I want more money,” he quipped, delving into the financial intricacies of the situation. Comparing Salah’s potential transfer to Harry Kane’s high-profile move, Carragher highlighted that with two years left on Salah’s contract, Liverpool would demand a sum exceeding his market value. While Carragher acknowledged Salah’s approximate value to be around £100 million, he questioned the timing of Al-Ittihad’s offer, wondering why they had left it so late.
As for Salah’s own intentions, Carragher weighed in, emphasizing that players can influence transfer matters significantly. “Every player who’s involved can kill it straight away,” he noted, implying that Salah possessed the agency to control his destiny. Carragher did acknowledge the allure of a £200 million offer, emphasizing that such an astronomical figure would be difficult for any player to reject. However, he expressed doubt about the feasibility of the transfer given its late timing.
The situation remained fluid, with Liverpool facing a tight deadline, as the Premier League transfer window was set to close at 11pm BST that Friday. In contrast, Al-Ittihad still had time on their side, with the Saudi Pro League’s transfer window closing on 7th September.
The unfolding drama surrounding Mohamed Salah’s potential move offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of football transfers, where even the most esteemed pundits like Jamie Carragher could have their views swayed by the ever-shifting tides of speculation and negotiation.