Barcelona failed to make any deals in the winter transfer market, as they were counting on signing English striker Marcus Rashford.
However, this was linked to the potential sale of one of Barcelona’s players, Ansu Fati, who refused to leave permanently, as he believes he can prove himself to German coach Hansi Flick.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional”, Barcelona continues to explore options to strengthen its squad in preparation for next season, and among the names that have begun circulating within the club is that of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian striker, who is having an exceptional season with Liverpool, may become a free agent next summer, which presents a very tempting transfer opportunity.
Despite reaching the age of 32, Salah continues to prove he is one of the best players in the world. Under coach Arne Slot, the Egyptian star is a key player in the Liverpool squad, which currently leads the English Premier League and remains one of the strongest contenders in the Champions League. There is no doubt about Salah’s huge impact on his team, which has attracted the interest of several clubs, including Barcelona.
Joan Laporta is under pressure from within the club to try and sign Salah. Many members of the board and those close to the club believe Barcelona cannot afford to miss this opportunity. Although signing Salah is not a top priority at the moment, a player of his quality and experience could have a significant impact on a team aiming to restore its prominent position on the European stage.
However, Barcelona faces significant challenges in completing this deal. Although Salah could arrive on a free transfer, his high salary (over 20 million euros per year) poses a major obstacle for the Catalan club, which is still struggling with financial issues and faces strict salary caps imposed by the Spanish league.
A key factor in the decision will be the sporting side of things. Salah typically plays on the right wing, the same position occupied by Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal. Does it make sense to sign a player of Salah’s caliber when the club is betting on the promising youngster?
For many, the answer is yes. The idea is that Flick, if the deal goes through, would be tasked with finding a way to integrate both players into the starting lineup. Salah could be used in a more central role, rotate on the wings, or be deployed as an attacking reference in certain situations. What is certain is that his arrival would significantly raise the quality of the team.
If Salah becomes a free agent and is willing to lower his financial demands, Barcelona could move forward with the deal. Otherwise, his arrival seems unlikely.
The only certainty is that many at Barcelona see signing Salah as an opportunity that cannot be missed. The final decision now rests with Laporta and Flick.