Liverpool ‘close in on Mohamed Salah contract agreement’ after progress with second deal | Football | Sport

Liverpool are closing in on an agreement with Mohamed Salah over a new contract at Anfield, according to reports. The Reds look set to strike a lucrative deal with their talisman, ending speculation surrounding his future and handing Arne Slot a significant boost ahead of his second season in charge.

According to The Times, there is a growing expectation on Merseyside that Salah is nearing an agreement to extend his eight-year stay. It’s claimed that Liverpool have always been confident that the 32-year-old forward would commit his future to the club throughout prolonged attempts to seal a formal pact. Details such as financial terms and contract length are said to have dominated intense negotiations ahead of his current deal’s expiry in July.

However, there is believed to be light at the end of the tunnel in the wake of Virgil van Dijk publicly confirming there had been progress in his own contract talks.

After Liverpool‘s 3-2 defeat at Fulham last Sunday, Van Dijk said: “There is progress, yes. I don’t know [if I’ll sign an extension yet], we’ll see.

“Listen, these are internal discussions, and we’ll see. I love the club, I love the fans and they were there for us again [at Craven Cottage].

“We wanted to reward them but I ask them to be there again on Sunday [against West Ham] and make the stadium an amazing venue like always for us.”

The reported breakthroughs in discussions with both Van Dijk and Salah will come as music to the ears of Liverpool fans rocked by Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s likely exit.

Alexander-Arnold is strongly expected to walk away from Anfield this summer as Real Madrid eye another blockbuster free transfer.

Real are reportedly confident of signing the 26-year-old right-back, but new contracts for Van Dijk and Salah would help fuel a potential Premier League title defence next season.

Salah has been directly involved in 54 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this term, plundering 32 goals and registering a further 22 assists.

The report adds that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has led the club’s attempts to retain his services during negotiations with agent Ramy Abbas Issa.

Salah’s exploits since landing at Anfield in 2017, lifting every possible major honour, have cemented his status as a Reds legend.

And he is almost a lock to be named the Premier League Player of the Year for a second time, regardless of whether Slot’s side surrender the title or not.