Glen Johnson claims it would be 'sensible' for Liverpool to sell 23-goal star for £70m this summer

Former Premier League defender Glen Johnson believes that it would be ‘sensible’ for Liverpool to sell Mohamed Salah this summer.

Salah, 31, has just one year left on his current deal, which expires in 2025, and there is some cause for concern this summer as he could be the target of Saudi Arabian clubs once again. The reports in recent weeks from talkSPORT claimed that Al-Ittihad are targeting a £70m deal in the summer after having a £150m bid rejected last summer.

With Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes having been installed into the club’s structure, it is likely that they will look to offer the likes of Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk new deals after the season has ended. However, nothing is set in stone, and it could give clubs an opportunity to try to prise them away. Johnson, who played 200 times for Liverpool, believes that it would be a sensible move to sell him and cash in on his value this summer as a result of the interest.

“He’s going to be a year older next season, so I think it would be sensible to allow him to leave in the summer if they’re offered big money for him, even though seeing him leave would be heartbreaking.” He told Betfred.

“It’s a tough one because you’re never going to replace him, but you’ve got a better chance of doing so with £70 million in the bank and you wouldn’t want him to leave the club on a free. Every year from now, his value will decrease and that’s down to his age, not his ability. If they get the right money for him, then it may be the right time to let him leave.”

Salah has 23 goals and 13 assists and has been in great form this season and he would have further increased his tally if it wasn’t for an untimely injury at the Africa Cup of Nations in January. However, his form has slowed down since returning from injury, netting four goals in nine goals across all competitions and he will be key for the final part of the season as he hunts down a second Premier League title.