Salah 'ready to join' Premier League rival as Liverpool given contract ultimatum

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is ready to join one of the Reds' Premier League rivals in the near future should he fail to agree a new deal at Anfield, according to reports.

The Egyptian forward, 29, is out of contract at the end of next season and protracted talks over an extension have failed to bear fruit. This has led to Salah's long-term future with Liverpool being called into question, even though he enjoyed yet another stellar season on Merseyside.

According to The Athletic, the former Chelsea and Roma star has already thought about where he could end up if he does not extend his stay with Liverpool. Although he is a hugely popular figure with the Anfield faithful, the report claims Salah would have no qualms about joining another club in the Premier League in this scenario.

This is because his preference is to remain in England and thus the Premier League, rather than pursue a move abroad. It remains to be seen which clubs would be able to afford Salah if a new contract is not agreed.

Title rivals Manchester City certainly have the financial power to pull off such a transfer and signing the player would surely continue their dominance of the domestic game. Chelsea and Manchester United are two other heavy-hitters in the transfer market but a switch to the Red Devils, Liverpool's bitter rivals, appears unlikely in light of the hostilities between the two clubs. Further, United cannot offer Salah Champions League football as it stands.

Whilst this latest update will heighten concerns over Salah's future with the Reds, he has already confirmed he has no intention to leave the club this summer. Speaking ahead of the Champions League final showdown with Real Madrid, he said: "In my mind, I don't focus on the contract at the moment.

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"I don't want to be selfish at all, I even said that two months ago. It's about the team now. It's a big, important week for us and I'm just focused on the team and I want to win the Champions League again and see Hendo with the trophy in his hands again, then hopefully he can give it to me after.

"I'm just focused on the team I don't want to talk about the contract now because we have a long time, but I'm staying next season for sure. I'm staying next season so let's see after that."

Whilst Salah has committed his short-term future to the Reds, the same cannot be said of colleague Sadio Mane. The Senegalese has reportedly informed the club of his desire to leave this summer with one year also remaining on his current deal.

German giants Bayern Munich appear to be leading the race for the former Southampton star and a move to the Allianz Arena would bring to an end Mane's hugely successful six-year spell with the Reds.