Liverpool must resolve Mohamed Salah transfer dilemma to avoid summer of chaos

Liverpool's summer transfer plans hinge on the outcome of contract talks with star player Mohamed Salah.

With just a year remaining on his current deal at Anfield, Liverpool must either agree new terms with Salah or risk losing him for free in July 2025. The Reds turned down a record-breaking £150 million ($189.8 million) bid from Saudi team Al-Ittihad last August, and club chiefs are keen to avoid a drop in his market value.

The departure of Jurgen Klopp may actually work in their favor, following a public spat between the manager and Salah during a match against West Ham in April. Securing Salah's future is now the main task for Liverpool's new management team, consisting of Football CEO Michael Edwards, technical director Julian Ward, and sporting director Richard Hughes.

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If no resolution is reached by August, Liverpool may have to consider selling the Egyptian forward to prevent a significant financial loss. Such a move would necessitate finding a replacement, marking a crucial turning point for the club.

Captain Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold also have just a year left on their respective contracts, although negotiations with them are expected to be less complicated.

Klopp began the process of rebuilding "Liverpool 2.0", as he dubbed it, a year ago, making significant changes to the midfield. The forward line should remain stable if Salah stays.

Darwin Nunez's underwhelming performance last season has left many questioning his future, with Arne Slot tasked with unlocking the potential of the Uruguayan star. Even the most loyal fans have started to lose faith in Nunez.

This suggests that Liverpool's attack will remain unchanged next season. However, the defence could see some reshuffling following Joel Matip's departure, with the Reds showing interest in England defender Marc Guehi.

Guehi, who currently has two years remaining on his contract with Crystal Palace, is shining for England at Euro 2024, which could potentially increase his market value. The Eagles might be tempted to sell him this summer when his value peaks.

However, Liverpool might find Guehi too pricey, especially considering the progress made by Jarell Quansah last season. Despite narrowly missing out on Euro 2024, Quansah had an impressive first season with the club. Liverpool also has Joe Gomez, who is part of England's squad in Germany, as another option at centre-half.

Liverpool might also be looking for a new backup for Andy Robertson at left-back, given Kostas Tsimikas' lacklustre season. Gomez proved to be an excellent replacement at left-back when Tsimikas and Robertson were sidelined due to injuries, leaving Liverpool with some decisions to make in this area.

Caoimhin Kelleher, after his stellar performance last season, may not be content with a bench role. At 25, the Republic of Ireland international might be seeking regular Premier League action. The Reds turned down a bid from Nottingham Forest in the winter transfer window and could demand £40 million ($50.6 million) for him this summer.

While Liverpool is reluctant to let him go, it understands that it can't block his move if an attractive offer is presented. This would necessitate finding a new backup for Alisson, which could consume all the funds received from Kelleher's sale.