Liverpool transfer round-up: Mohamed Salah tipped to leave and Jordan Henderson could follow
Liverpool are looking to bounce back from a fairly dismal attempt at retaining their Premier League crown last time out, but could be without two of their most crucial players
Liverpool have signed just the one player thus far this summer window, coming in the form of former RB Leipzig central defender Ibrahima Konate.
While boasting an impressive array of attributes and still only 22 years of age, the signing of Konate will also provide cover in area that proved costly to Liverpool’s title hopes last season.
A remarkable injury crisis saw all three first-choice centre backs in Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip face lengthy spells on the side-lines, forcing boss Jurgen Klopp to rely on youthful, unproven players such as Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams.
Though they performed well all things considered, Konate will add Champions League experience to a Reds backline that will be overjoyed at the return of the likes of Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip.
However, just as a trio of stars return, Liverpool could lose another set of vital first team players.
Salah could seek new challenge
Mohamed Salah has been arguably the Premier League’s best player since he returned to these shores after a stint at AS Roma, but is reportedly keen on boosting his profile further.
That is at least, according to Dean Jones of the Football Terrace Podcast, who explained that it could actually be worth Liverpool’s while selling the star now, as he creeps closer to 30 years of age.
“It makes sense for them to cash in on Mo Salah, just as he is passing his peak and re-investing that money in someone you can get five, six or seven years of,” explained Jones.
“Mo Salah is just extremely ambitious and while he has loved being at Liverpool he doesn’t see this as being the end of his journey.
“That’s why he has started to give interviews in the last 12 months hinting at the next step for him. It’s not out of disrespect, it’s purely led by the fact that he wants to be recognised as being in the bracket of top tier players.”
“He’s got to figure out at what club he would get that at, I think ideally he saw that at somewhere like Barcelona or Real Madrid, but it is unclear whether those avenues will open up because of the financial situations at both of those clubs.”
Henderson contract talks spark exit rumours
The thought of Jordan Henderson playing his football anywhere but Liverpool would have barely crossed the minds of most of the Anfield faithful earlier this year, but it could become a reality sooner than many anticipated.
The 31-year-old still has two years to run on his current Reds contract, but talks over an extension have reportedly stalled.
According to The Athletic, club owners FSG currently deem discussions with Henderson fairly low down on their list of priorities.
Given they have already witnessed one popular midfielder run down his contract before leaving on a free in the form of Gini Wijnaldum, many Liverpool fans are fearful the same will happen to Henderson.
Arsenal have emerged as shock favorites to lure the midfielder away from Merseyside after a decade at the club.
Liverpool linked with A.C. Milan midfielder
While much of the talk surrounding Liverpool’s transfer activity is centred around departures, they could welcome one new arrival in A.C Milan star Franck Kessie.
A report from SportMediaset (via Milan Reports ) has claimed Klopp’s side are willing to offer Kessie a contract worth up to €8m per season, figures likely to entice the midfielder who is locked in contract talks with the Italian giants at the moment.
Kessie is demanding €6m from A.C. Milan, a number they are struggling to match given the impacts of the coronavirus on their finances.
