In FC Barcelona's Offices, They Are Astonished. Mohamed Salah's Contract Renewal with Liverpool Has Come as a Cold Shower. No one in the Barça sports management expected the Egyptian forward to decide to continue his adventure at Anfield Road, much less extend his contract until 2027.
Joan Laporta, President of the blaugrana Club, Had Maintained Discreet Contacts to Probe the African Winger's Situation. With the uncertainty surrounding his future in recent months, it was interpreted from Can Barça that there was a window of opportunity. However, everything has changed in a matter of days, and FC Barcelona has had to react to this unexpected news.
The market strategy planned for next summer included signing a top-level forward. Salah was one of the main targets if he managed to leave Liverpool, something that now seems completely ruled out. The Catalan entity acknowledges that it is a severe blow, both in sports and symbolically.
A Radical Turn in the Negotiations
Mohamed Salah's Renewal Has Been Managed with Total Discretion, not even in the Egyptian player's environment were details leaked that pointed to a possible continuity. For weeks, rumors about his possible move to Saudi Arabia or even his jump to LaLiga had gained strength. This fueled Barça's hopes, which saw in the Egyptian a high-impact signing, both on the field and in marketing terms.
The new contract with Liverpool includes a substantial salary increase, as well as certain performance incentives. Arne Slot, despite the speculations about his departure, has been key in this renewal. The German coach considers Salah an essential piece in his project and has insisted on his continuity to the 'reds' leadership.
Barça Seeks Alternatives to Strengthen the Attack
From Laporta's environment, they acknowledge that the conversations did not reach a formal point; however, there were exploratory contacts with the player's representatives. The club knew that the economic margin was limited, but it trusted in the player's willingness to change scenery. Salah's decision has shattered those expectations.
In This Situation, FC Barcelona Has Modified Its Roadmap, and the Sports Management Is Already Working on Other Options to Strengthen the Offensive Line. It will not be easy to find a profile that approaches the impact that signing Salah would have had. The club keeps its goal of incorporating a forward with goals and international experience.
Among the names that are gaining the most strength are Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leão, although each presents economic and contractual difficulties. Barça Is Aware That It Will Have to Adjust Its Planning to the Margin Allowed by Financial Fair Play. Therefore, loans with purchase options or even medium-term operations are not ruled out.