Michail Antonio believes Mohamed Salah was ready to leave Liverpool in the summer
According to The Liverpool Echo, West Ham United ace Michail Antonio has revealed that he knows for a fact that Mohamed Salah was ready to leave Liverpool in the recently concluded summer transfer window.
The 31-year-old is one of the best players in world football and the most elite Muslim footballer in the game today. Landing him would be a statement signing for any team on the planet, let alone one from the Middle East.
Given their financial clout, Saudi giants feel they can attract any player in world football and with good measure. Losing Salah that late in the window would have outdone much of the good work we did in the window, setting us two steps back going into the season. With little time to bring in a replacement, it is no surprise that we rejected any overtures.
Salah, to his credit, did not push for a move either and has started the season in fine form. He has two goals and four assists in five Premier League games this season and is a key cog in our attacking juggernaut.
However, Antonio believes Salah was ready to move in the summer had a deal been accepted. He believes Salah’s move would not have been motivated by money but rather the need for a new challenge having won it all at Anfield.
“What else can he do at Liverpool? He’s done it. It’s [Saudi] a great opportunity for him, he is a Muslim man and it had everything screaming out for him. There was no actual negative for the man to not go. I understand he has a contract, which he has fulfilled.”
Antonio is flabbergasted that Liverpool have rejected the mammoth bid for Salah and believes selling him to write off a campaign would have been deemed acceptable. If anything, this shows that Antonio has not played for a side with a hunger for trophies. Had he done so, he would not have made such a statement.
“My question to you is this: what do you think Liverpool are playing for this year? Even if you couldn’t replace the man, let’s call this season a write-off.|”
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Salah’s powers are on the wane and it will soon be time for Liverpool to replace him. However, given his standing in the game and community, there is little chance that Saudi clubs won’t return for him next summer. The 31-year-old is the crowning jewel in the Muslim world and it won’t surprise us if Liverpool go on to sell him for a big fee next summer.
