Liverpool fans enjoyed a positive day of news after talisman Mohamed Salah signed a new two-year deal at Anfield, handing a huge boost to the club ahead of their clash against West Ham this weekend
Arne Slot has revealed he was aware Mohamed Salah was edging closer to a new deal
It’s not a bad day to be a Liverpool fan. Their star player Mohamed Salah has finally signed new contract to put rumours about his future to bed and now they’re hoping Virgil van Dijk could be next to pledge his future to Anfield.
It’s looking more and more likely that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be on his way to Real Madrid, but Salah’s news is a welcome boost for the club after a difficult few weeks that has seen them lost three of their last five games.
Now that Salah has penned a new deal, Liverpool will be keen to get their Premier League title bid back on track after a shock 3-2 loss to Fulham as they prepare to face West Ham at home this weekend.
Mirror Football has rounded up all the latest news and rumours surrounding Liverpool ahead of the game against the Hammers.
READ MORE: Arne Slot drops hint on Virgil van Dijk contract announcement as ‘progress’ madeREAD MORE: Mo Salah aims subtle dig at Trent Alexander-Arnold after signing new Liverpool contractSlot opens up on Salah contract debacle
While many fans might have been concerned Salah would be leaving Liverpool as a free agent this summer, boss Arne Slot has always been calm on the situation.
And now the Dutchman has revealed that he knew new contract talks were heading in a positive direction some time ago as he shed light on the saga.
“Relief? For the fans I think so. It’s no surprise to you I knew a bit better how the contract situation went. I knew a bit longer things were heading in the right direction. It is a big compliment to Richard Hughes because Mo Salah, as a free agent, can go to any club he wants to.”
Slot will be delighted to have Salah on board for the next two years(Image: Getty Images)
Slot added that he was involved in the discussions but insisted the ownership and chief Richard Hughes deserved more credit for getting Salah to pledge his future.
“How much input did I have? I am part of the process but I don’t deserve the compliments,” he said. “It’s Mo, his agent and then FSG, Richard, they all put the effort, which means money! But also effort.
“What it might tell you is that it is not only a good season now we want more next season and Mo is convinced we can do so. So that is positive for us.”\
Hamann proposes swap deal
Darwin Nunez has been a puzzling figure for Liverpool, nearly three years after he joined the club from Benfica for a huge £85million.
The Uruguayan has scored some important goals and has netted a total of 40 goals in all competitions in his first three seasons, but the striker has made it clear he wants more game time and there has been speculation he could depart this summer.
Club legend Didi Hamann believes the club could use Nunez in a swap deal to land another target they have been linked with – Jamie Gittens, who himself has been tipped for an exit from Borussia Dortmund.
Jamie Gittens has been linked with Liverpool and Didi Hamann says they should use Darwin Nunez to sign him in a swap deal
Gittens has 12 goals in 43 games for Dortmund this season but has struggled with patches of poor form – though the 20-year-old is still being tipped for a bright future.
“One option that could work is Jamie Gittens and Darwin Nunez in a swap deal between Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund,” he told InstantCasino. “Gittens started the season on fire and was almost carrying the team for the first three months of the season.
“Since the new manager arrived he has found things a bit hard and not started many games, because the new manager is looking for the hardest workers.
“He needed time to adapt but came off the bench and scored on Saturday, hopefully he will have an impact in the Champions League. But I would say that Gittens and Nunez in a swap deal is not that far fetched.”
Reds handed Huijsen blow
Liverpool are one of the teams said to be leading the race for Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who has been one of the most impressive centre-backs this season at the age of just 19.
The Reds are eager to sign back-up for Virgil van Dijk, who is heading towards the end of his career, but are believed to be rivalled by the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid for the youngster’s signature.
And Liverpool might be concerned about Madrid’s interest after Huijsen suggested the Bernabeu would be an attractive destination.
Liverpool are being rivalled by Real Madrid in their bid to sign Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen(Image: Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
“I have a contract until 2030, [but] I do have a [release] clause,” he told El Chiringuito TV, as quoted by ESPN. “I don’t know [if I will join Real Madrid], we’ll see.
“It’s a big team. Every player wants to play in the maximum [level] possible. A friend called me and said, ‘Go to Real Madrid’. I laughed. What am I going to say?
“Sergio Ramos has been my idol since I was little,” he admitted, before adding: “[Carlo Ancelotti] is a very good manager. He’s not at Real Madrid for nothing. He deserves credit.”
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