Mohamed Salah's demands still look unlikely to be met by the Liverpool hierarchy and his time at Anfield is now seemingly into its final chapter.
The Egyptian still has one year left to run on his current Reds contract, but the most likely course of action - as it stands - appears to be that the Liverpool legend will leave Merseyside on a free transfer in 12 months time.
While the Liverpool chiefs are thought to have worked tirelessly to try and reach an agreement with their main man, owners FSG have been unwilling to break the wage structure that the club have long had in place to ensure they can operate within their means, to keep Salah at Anfield.
The prospect of Salah leaving this summer is very unlikely. He has publicly stated how he will be a Liverpool player next season. With that being said, were any club to come in for him in the coming weeks it is rumoured that the Reds have put a £60million price tag on the Egypt international's head.
It would be questionable business for any club to fork out that much on Salah, regardless of his talent, due to the fact he would be available for nothing this time next year. In terms of where he may like to play his football once his Liverpool chapter ends, Salah has already given some inkling.
Asked by Marca as to whether he could see himself one day operating in La Liga after already plying his trade in both the Premier League and Serie A, Salah responded: "I hope to be able to play for many more years. Why not? No one knows what's going to happen in the future, so... maybe one day [I will play in in Spain], yes."
Given the way the Spanish top-flight is dominated by a select few sides, it is likely only Real Madrid or Barcelona who could realistically sign Salah any-time soon. Past comments made by the 30-year-old about how he has had "scores to settle" with Los Blancos were not taken well by sections of the Santiago Bernabeu dressing room.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Where will Salah play his football after his Reds contract expires? Comment below
Speaking before the meeting between Liverpool and Real Madrid in last season's Champions League final, Fede Valverde told Club del Deportista magazine how he felt about Salah's 'score to settle' remark. "Obviously they're words that everyone can take however they want. I'm his opponent and it's like disrespecting the Real Madrid badge, the players."
With that in mind, Salah may not be greeted quite so warmly in the Spanish capital but according to one Premier League legend he should favour a move to the Camp Nou anyway. Arsenal icon Robert Pires had his say over the Liverpool superstar's future earlier this year.
"Mohamed Salah’s future depends on what he wants, whether he continues with Liverpool or goes for new experience, it’s up to him," Pires told Egyptian TV. "Between Barcelona and Real Madrid, and considering the player’s qualities, I think Salah would perform better with Barca, his communication with Xavi will be easy."
