Former striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has claimed Mohamed Salah’s contract talks will create “big problems” for Liverpool.
Salah and his representatives have been locked in negotiations over a new deal for several months. It has been widely reported that the Egyptian is keen to stay at Anfield, but as things stand no agreement has been reached.
Jurgen Klopp has insisted that everything is progressing with regards to Salah’s contract talks. The 29-year-old’s current deal runs out in 2023, and he’s been a key player for Liverpool this term with 28 goals in all competitions.
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However, ex-Villa star Agbonlahor believes Salah’s current negotiations could create issues at Liverpool. The former striker says that other players in the squad will demand a new deal on the back of a new deal for Salah, which could cause problems at Anfield.
“I think there’s going to be big problems at Liverpool because I’m hearing Salah is close to signing a very big contract of £400,000-a-week,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider .
“The problem with that and the reason that Liverpool are scared to give him that is because Mane will want similar, Van Dijk will want to renegotiate because he’s just signed a new contract. When you go over the wage cap at a club the doors will open and other players are going to want increases.
“If Salah gets £400,000-a-week, then Mane will want £350,000-a-week. Liverpool are probably thinking ‘Can we give him that when we’ve got Diaz who is coming in as a good player’. It’s going to be very interesting and very expensive for Liverpool. It’s definitely a big problem.
“But if I’m Mo Salah I’m asking for what I deserve. He will not even be close to what Neymar’s earning, what Lionel Messi’s earning and what Kylian Mbappe will be earning and he’s on par with them at the moment.
“He will want to be paid what he deserves. He’s the top goalscorer in the Premier League, the best player in the Premier League. ‘Give me what I deserve, if there’s a wage cap that’s not my problem’.”
