Arne Slot believes Mohamed Salah\u2019s contract extension will make it easier for Liverpool to attract new signings, as well as showing how \u201cambitious\u201d the club is.<\/p>\n
This contract saga has been one of the most talked about in recent years, starting way back in early September when the Liverpool<\/a> star said this would be his \u201clast year\u201d at the club.<\/p>\n Salah<\/a> revealed in January that he and the Reds were still \u201cfar away\u201d from finding an agreement, with it looking increasingly likely that the 32-year-old would become a free agent this summer.<\/p>\n However, after a huge build-up, the Egyptian international put pen to paper on a new contract until 2027 to end speculation over his future this week.<\/p>\n Now, manager Slot believes that having Salah at the Merseyside outfit makes the \u201cproject\u201d they are on more attractive to prospective signings as they are likely to challenge for trophies again next season with him in tow.<\/p>\n He told reporters: \u201cWhat it might tell you is that we want more next season, and Mo is convinced we can do so. That is positive for us. If I\u2019d put myself in the shoes of a player we might want to sign, it is always nice to tell them while presenting our project that Mo Salah has signed a new contract.<\/p>\n \u201cIt shows how ambitious this club is \u2013 Mo, the owners, and the ones who came last summer \u2013 we are ambitious to keep performing to the level this club has been at in the last few years.\u201d<\/p>\n DON\u2019T MISS<\/strong>: The key contract details of every Liverpool first-team player: Expiry dates, weekly wages, agents\u2026<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Van Dijk deal yet to get over the line<\/p>\n While Salah\u2019s deal has been signed, sealed, and delivered<\/a>, team-mate and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is still into the last months of his contract.<\/p>\n The Netherlands international is reportedly inching closer to extending his stay at Anfield<\/a> for another two years, just like Salah did, but Slot was tight-lipped over that possible eventuality.<\/p>\n The ex-Feyenoord boss told reporters: \u201cI think you know the answer. The boring answer, as always. We talk about contracts if they are signed.\u00a0In the situation with Mo, we are talking about it. As long as they are not signed, we don\u2019t talk about it.<\/p>\n \u201cI can tell you I\u2019m very happy with Virgil this season, he\u2019s been incredible for us.\u00a0Even in the last few games where there were maybe moments where he could do better, but if you look at the other 80 or 90 minutes, he\u2019s such an important player for us.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s hope he can do the same what I just I hoped for from Mo, on Sunday (against West Ham), that he can be our leader again as he\u2019s always been this season.\u201d<\/p>\n In contrast, it seems right-back and academy product Trent Alexander-Arnold is destined to leave Liverpool this summer when his contract ends, amid links with Real Madrid<\/a>.<\/p>\n Latest Liverpool news: Brazilian star eyed, Arsenal to hijack Reds?<\/strong><\/p>\n Liverpool have reportedly been given a boost in their efforts to sign\u00a0Flamengo\u2019s Wesley this summer<\/a>, as they eye a potential Alexander-Arnold replacement.<\/p>\n That is because Jose Boto, the club\u2019s director of football, says the Serie A team are preparing for his departure in the coming months \u2013 so long as a suitor meets their asking price.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Arsenal are said to be keen on gazumping Liverpool in their bid to recruit\u00a0Bournemouth ace Milos Kerkez<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Reds are trying to strengthen their left-back options but the Gunners may pip them to his signature, if a certain report is to be believed.<\/p>\n