Barcelona are still reportedly interested in Mohamed Salah and are plotting a bid for the forward while Liverpool and the Egyptian’s entourage are still locked in negotiations over a new contract.
Barcelona was one of the top clubs linked with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. The operation was a matter of finances which Barcelona do not have at the moment, despite club president Joan Laporta’s good relationship with Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola.
The 21-year-old Norwegian striker is now on his way to Manchester City according to reports and Barcelona, who are still sounding out a move for the striker, have chosen to diversify their options for a marquee signing.
Salah was identified a few months ago as a replacement marquee signing for the Catalan giants who are seeking to rebuild their club with one marketable name after the departure of Lionel Messi.
Salah is considered one of the world’s best players and is a commercial hit as well. A switch for the Egyptian to the Camp Nou next season could not only be beneficial for the Catalans in terms of their football project, but also help them regain their financial footing which they lost due to the misappropriations of the past administration led by Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Barcelona have also sealed a mega sponsorship deal with audio streaming giants Spotify which will see an injection of £236 million into their coffers next season to help rebuild their club. Reports now claim that the club are eyeing a move for five other players in addition to Salah.
The Blaugrana, however, have a small issue in their pursuit of Salah. The 29-year-old has told Liverpool he wants to stay and reportedly reinitiated the contract talks with Liverpool through his agents. His current contract at Anfield runs out in 2023 and Liverpool do not plan to let his contract run down, or at least, let him leave for less than a premium.
It is also reported that Liverpool have offered Salah a £400,000-per-week contract which he is yet to put pen to paper for.
Liverpool agree terms with Darwin Núñez
Elsewhere, unconfirmed reports claim that Liverpool have agreed personal terms to sign Benfica star Darwin Nuñez.
Sports Illustrated claims that sources close to the situation have stated that Nuñez’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has been turning down offers from other clubs because the player wants to play under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool.
The Uruguayan is rated at £36 million and has been one of the standout strikers of the season in Europe. He has attracted interest from all the top clubs as well, who are all promising to up his current £31,000-per-week pay.
It is claimed that Liverpool have agreed to offer him £60,000-per-week but all that stands between the striker and his preferred move to Anfield is an agreement on the transfer fee between Benfica and Liverpool.
Benfica are currently third in the Portuguese Primera Liga and risk losing out on the Champions League next season. This could propel them to cash in on Nuñez, who will rake in a reasonable profit on their investment on him in 2020.
Liverpool are set to lose Divock Origi and possibly Roberto Firmino, and are hoping to replace them with a striker of Nuñez’s calibre.
It remains to be seen what becomes of these links.
