A market twist that could tip the balance in European soccer: Mohamed Salah heading to Serie A and Rafael Leao ready for the big leap to the Premier League. What if this scenario is more concrete than it seems?
Salah a Milano, Leao in Premier: dall’estero uno scenario spiazzante (Foto: Ansa) – serieanews.com
It could be paradoxical: years on the verge of the Ballon d’Or and the only year he can win it for real he plays for another team. This could be the sad fate of Mohamed Salah, who in all likelihood will not renew his contract with Liverpool and leave on a zero-parameter basis. The most incredible thing is that he may do so in what is perhaps his best season.
The Egyptian, who will blow out 33 candles in June, still has fire in him. He proves it with numbers that speak for themselves: goals, assists, phenomenal plays. Yet, the much-desired renewal is not coming. Rumors filter in from England that the club is unwilling to extend the relationship with the Egyptian, a symbol of this wonderful Reds cycle.
The alternatives? The usual ones: the Premier, perhaps in another big one, or the golden call of Saudi Arabia, which has long tempted him with monstrous contracts. But beware, because in the last few hours another surprise name has popped up. A club that has written its recent history with zero parameters: Inter Milan.
We know: Marotta is the king of bargains. And if there was even the slightest chance of bringing Salah to Milan, rest assured that the Nerazzurri executive would study it down to the last detail. According to French media outlet Téléfoot, informal contacts would already be there. The obstacle? Obvious: the salary.
At Liverpool, the Egyptian earns about 12 million net per year, 11.6 to be precise. Numbers off the scale for Serie A. But if he decides to lower his demands in order to remain competitive in Europe, the Nerazzurri idea could become more than just a suggestion.
Liverpool su Leao: il possibile incastro perfetto
What about Liverpool? If it really deprived itself of Salah, the English club would have to find a replacement equal to the task. And this is where a name that has been circulating in the corridors of Anfield for weeks now comes into play: Rafael Leao, who is no longer an untouchable at AC Milan and could really leave this summer.
Liverpool su Leao: il possibile incastro perfetto (AnsaFoto) – serieanews.com
The Portuguese is a pure talent, capable of lighting up a game with a single play. But at Milan, the relationship seems to have lost that initial magic. Despite a renewal until 2028, the air is not the best. Should an offer close to 75-80 million euros arrive, parts of Via Aldo Rossi could begin to waver.
From England they are convinced that Liverpool has already put Leao at the top of their wish list. They see him as Salah’s natural replacement: young, explosive, capable of playing either wide on the left or as an atypical forward. A perfect profile to pick up the Egyptian’s legacy.
What about Milan? With that kind of money it could finance a much-needed refounding, perhaps going after a new star for the future. The idea of an “indirect” exchange between Liverpool and Milan, with Salah and Leao effectively swapping cities, sounds almost surreal. Yet, if fits and wills align, the scenario might not be so far-fetched.
The only real obstacle is Salah’s salary. But if he decides to stay in Europe by reducing his demands, why not think about Inter Milan? On the other hand, Milan knows that retaining Leao forever will be complicated. And if Liverpool were to knock with the right offer, it would be hard to say no.
This article Salah to Milan, Leao to Premier: from abroad a disorienting scenario appeared first on SerieANews.
