Liverpool Confirm Salah's Summer Exit
It is over. Liverpool Football Club have confirmed that Mohamed Salah will leave Anfield at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing the curtain down on one of the most remarkable individual careers the Premier League has ever seen. The Egyptian forward, who joined from Roma in the summer of 2017, will depart when his contract expires in June — and crucially, he has agreed to cancel the final year remaining on his deal, saving the club an estimated £22 million.
How It Unravelled
The split between Salah and Liverpool began to open publicly last December, when the forward made pointed comments about his relationship with manager Arne Slot, suggesting it was virtually non-existent. Salah accused the club of using him as a scapegoat after a poor start to the season — Liverpool had drawn 3-3 at Leeds in early December — and the comments sent shockwaves through the fanbase.
Negotiations over a contract extension that began promisingly in early 2025 broke down completely. By March 2026, it became clear that both parties had reached an agreement to part ways, and the club made it official. Salah, for his part, conducted himself with remarkable dignity in the final months, continuing to produce whenever called upon.
The Legacy
The numbers are staggering. Salah finishes his Liverpool career with 228 goals in 352 appearances, making him the club's all-time leading scorer. He won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup at Anfield. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year five times. In 2017-18 alone he scored 32 Premier League goals, smashing the record for a 38-game season that still stands.
Where he goes next remains unclear. Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, who had a £150 million bid rejected in 2023, have resumed their pursuit, and the money on offer in Saudi Arabia would comfortably eclipse anything available in Europe. At 34, the Champions League window is narrowing — but Salah's legs show little sign of going.
What Liverpool Do Next
Replacing Salah is the defining transfer task of the summer for Arne Slot. The club have been linked with Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from PSG, as well as Desire Doue. Liverpool need pace, goals and a player capable of carrying the right flank as Salah has done for nine years. That is a very tall order indeed.
Transfer context: Mohamed Salah, 34 | Liverpool 2017–2026 | 228 goals, 352 appearances | Contract: agreed to cancel final year worth approx. £22m | Next club: unknown — Al Ittihad (Saudi Pro League) leading contenders
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