Mohamed Salah Leaves Liverpool as Free Agent Despite Year Remaining on Contract

2026-03-25 community

Liverpool, 25 March 2026
Liverpool’s Egyptian superstar will depart Anfield this summer on a free transfer, forgoing £500,000 weekly wages with 12 months left on his deal. The 33-year-old’s shock exit ends a nine-year tenure that produced 255 goals and eight major trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League. His departure follows a public breakdown in relations with manager Arne Slot, whom Salah claimed had no relationship with him after being benched in December 2025.

A Legacy Written in Goals and Silverware

Salah’s departure marks the end of one of the most remarkable individual careers in Liverpool’s storied history [1]. Since arriving from AS Roma on 23 June 2017 for £34 million [7], the Egyptian forward has established himself as the club’s third-highest goalscorer with 255 goals in 435 appearances [3][4]. His achievements extend beyond mere statistics - Salah has won eight major titles during his Liverpool tenure, including two Premier League crowns (2019-20 and 2024-25), the Champions League (2018-19), FA Cup, two League Cups, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup [2][4]. In Premier League competition alone, he has scored 189 goals and provided 92 assists across 310 appearances [1][7], ranking him fourth amongst all-time Premier League scorers [1].

The Financial Reality Behind the Exit

The financial implications of Salah’s departure are substantial for Liverpool’s wage structure. His current contract, signed in April 2025, is worth approximately £500,000 per week plus performance-related bonuses [8][6] - though some sources suggest it exceeds £400,000 weekly [6]. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock highlighted the fiscal benefit to the club, noting that ‘by taking that off the books, the club is effectively saving a significant amount’ [1]. This departure comes at a crucial time as the Premier League prepares to implement the squad cost ratio (SCR) rule next season, which will cap clubs at 85% of their income for football-related wages, amortisation costs and agent fees (or 70% for those participating in European competitions) [6]. Liverpool’s wage bill exceeded £400 million in 2024-25, though it represented 60% of revenue [6].

Breakdown in Management Relations

The relationship between Salah and Liverpool manager Arne Slot deteriorated significantly during the 2025-26 season, ultimately precipitating the departure [2][8]. The tensions became public following a 3-3 draw at Leeds United in December 2025, where Salah was an unused substitute [2][6]. In a revealing interview after that match, Salah stated: ‘I don’t know why, but it seems to me that someone doesn’t want me in the club’ [2]. He later accused the club of ‘scapegoating him’ and claimed his relationship with Slot was ‘nonexistent’ [2][8]. The friction was further evidenced when Slot admitted he had ‘no clue’ if Salah had played his final game for the club before an Inter Milan match in December 2025 [6]. Despite these public disputes, Salah eventually returned to the squad and made substitute appearances, though the damage to their working relationship proved irreparable [7].

Global Icon Seeks New Challenge

As speculation mounts about Salah’s next destination, his agent Ramy Abbas Issa has sought to manage expectations, stating on 24 March 2026: ‘We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no one else knows’ [2][6][8]. However, significant interest has emerged from Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal [2][6], with Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano suggesting Saudi clubs want Salah ‘as a symbol of their project now and as a face of what they’re going to do in future projects’ [2]. Major League Soccer has also been mentioned as a potential destination, particularly after MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed interest in attracting the Egyptian to the American league [6]. At 33 years old (turning 34 in June) [8], Salah’s departure represents not just the end of a chapter for Liverpool, but potentially the beginning of a new phase that could see him become a global ambassador for football in emerging markets across the Middle East or North America.

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Mohamed Salah Liverpool departure