Why Liverpool Are Letting Mohamed Salah Leave for Free Instead of £20m
After nearly a decade of remarkable service, Mohamed Salah is set to depart Liverpool FC at the end of the season. The Egyptian forward will exit Anfield as a free agent, with club legend John Barnes shedding light on why the Reds are comfortable foregoing a potential £20 million fee.
Liverpool will allow Mohamed Salah to leave for free this summer, with John Barnes explaining why the club chose to save wages over a £20m transfer fee.
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Salah, a winner of both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, had signed an extension in April 2025 that was meant to keep him at the club until 2027. However, that agreement will now end early, with both sides deciding to separate once the current campaign concludes.
This season has proven difficult by Salah’s usual high standards. He has added just 10 goals to his overall tally of 255 in 435 appearances, including only five league strikes. Reduced involvement in the starting lineup has seen him spend more time on the bench than expected.
During one such spell out of the team, Salah voiced strong frustration, intensifying speculation about his future. By late March, confirmation arrived that his departure had been finalized.
Many were surprised that Liverpool opted not to seek a transfer fee, especially with reported interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer. Yet Barnes believes the decision is logical given the circumstances.
Speaking on the matter, Barnes highlighted Salah’s age and financial implications. He noted that approaching 35, the forward would not command a significant transfer fee. More importantly, releasing him frees up a substantial weekly salary, allowing the club to reinvest those funds elsewhere.
Former club executive Christian Purslow also suggested that a sale may not have been feasible. He pointed to a noticeable dip in performance and referenced a public disagreement involving manager Arne Slot as a turning point in the relationship.
Purslow explained that Liverpool likely explored transfer options but found limited interest from buyers willing to meet both salary expectations and transfer demands. According to him, factors such as age, wages, and recent form made a lucrative deal unlikely, despite comparisons to high-profile late-career moves like that of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Looking ahead, Salah has yet to confirm his next destination. Before making a decision, he will aim to finish the season strongly with Liverpool, including competing for silverware, before leading Egypt at the 2026 World Cup.
Clubs across Europe, the United States, and the Middle East are expected to present offers, with Salah—who turns 34 in June—still planning to continue his decorated career for several more seasons.
