Mohamed Salah should realise that there is nowhere better for his career than Liverpool amid Barcelona interest, according to Markus Babbel.
Salah’s future is becoming more of a pressing issue at Anfield as the summer transfer window approaches. He has long been in talks over a new contract, but current terms expire in summer 2023.
The Egyptian winger’s salary in his new deal has proved the key sticking point. While Salah wants to overtake Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool’s highest-paid player, the Reds will not break their wage structure.
Reports on Sunday claimed that a U-turn from the 29-year-old means both parties are now closing in on an agreement.
Nevertheless, Barcelona are reportedly after Salah and are ready to pounce if they sense an opening.
According to former Liverpool defender Babbel, though, the winger would perform nowhere near as well in La Liga.
“It’s difficult to say from the outside. I know he’s a brilliant player for Liverpool,” Babbel told the Daily Star. “For me it’s a question of what he wants to do. Is he still happy at Liverpool or does he want to see something different?
“Not many clubs can afford him, Liverpool have said this is what you want, and this is what we can pay so now I hope they can agree terms.
“Mo Salah is the perfect player for Liverpool Football Club and I’m not sure he would perform like he does for a Barcelona, Real Madrid or another team out there.”
Salah has earned the adoration of Liverpool fans for his five seasons of consistent form. What’s more, such form has seen him enter the Premier League and Anfield record books this season.
He became the fifth-fastest Premier League player to score 100 league goals. Furthermore, he overtook Roger Hunt as the fastest player to reach 100 league goals for Liverpool.
Babbel claimed that Liverpool is “perfectly placed for Mo and allows him to be the outstanding player he is”.
The 49-year-old added: “I hope he’s smart enough to see that the club is perfect for my style of football, the people here love me, the city loves me, the club loves me. Would more money make him happier? I don’t think so.
“The only reason he could have, is if he wants to live in a new country and experience a new league. He’s been in Switzerland, Italy, England he may want to live a different lifestyle, culture and language — I could accept that, but not if just about the money.”
Salah has admitted on more than one occasion that he could consider a move to La Liga if the circumstances were right.
However, he has more often insisted that he has had no thoughts about leaving Anfield.
For now, he remains focused on finishing the season with more silverware at Liverpool.
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