Liverpool decision, £150m Bukayo Saka move - What Mohamed Salah transfer admission means for Arsenal

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah dropped a surprise after their win over Southampton on Sunday by stating that there had been no offer of a new contract, and he is currently "more out than in" regarding his future at the club.

"Well, we are almost in December and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club, [so] I'm probably more out than in," Salah said.

"You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December and I haven't received anything yet about my future.

"I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans' hands. Let's wait and see. Of course [no offer is disappointing], yeah.

"I'm not going to retire soon so I'm just playing, focusing on the season and I'm trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I'm disappointed but we will see.

"I'm very professional. Everybody can see my work ethic. I'm just trying to enjoy my football and I will play at the top level as long as possible. I'm just doing my best because this is who I am and I try to give it all for myself and for the club. We will see what happens next."

There have long been rumours about what comes next for the Egyptian star, with links to Saudi Arabia last summer. But if he does leave Anfield, what comes next for Liverpool?

Well, the Reds have also been linked with a move for Arsenal star Bukayo Saka. It would take an extraordinary amount of money to make it happen, but is it beyond the realms of possibility, especially if Liverpool win the Premier League title this season?

football.london writers discuss the permutations below...

Joe Doyle

If I were a betting man, I'd say that Salah will sign an extension at Liverpool, but not a particularly long one. Maybe another year, maybe another two. The fact he's gone public with the contract update is in itself likely a push to get the club to make an offer.

In regards to Bukayo Saka and Arsenal, I don't think they'll need to worry too much about Liverpool making a move should Salah leave. They'll obviously be on the lookout for top talent, and Saka would be right at the top of that list - but the cost of any move is likely to put them off.

However, they can't afford to take their eye off the ball following his contract renewal. They need to start winning trophies to show they can compete at the top level and offer someone like Saka the competitive edge at the top level that he will need to stay at the club in the long term - and it must happen before his contract begins to wind down.

While Arsenal fans won't enjoy comparisons to Spurs, Saka need only look across town at Harry Kane's career to see how sentiment can affect a career. Kane could have left the club years earlier and added plenty of trophies to his cabinet; he arguably stayed too long. It's certainly a cautionary tale for both player and club.

Lee Wilmot

As much as Liverpool might want to sign Bukayo Saka to replace Mohamed Salah, I'm not sure they've got the money to do so.

Of course, that sounds ridiculous, given the reds are one of the top teams in the Premier League, but with Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability rules to adhere to, big-money moves are becoming increasingly more difficult to make.

Saka has two-and-a-half years on his current contract and will cost at least £100million to sign in the summer transfer window. I'd put his price tag nearer £150million: he's that good.

But there is the worry that after next season he will only have one year left on his contract, so if Arsenal were to sell, you'd think next summer would be the time.

Arsenal don't want to sell. Saka, as far as we are aware, doesn't want to leave, so a Liverpool deal looks off the table. I would not be surprised to see the likes of Bayern Munich or Real Madrid interested in the Arsenal man in the summer, though, and I could see him moving abroad, rather than to a Premier League rival.

Kieran Horn

Replacing Mohamed Salah with Bukayo Saka would be quite the statement from Liverpool, but there are a number of obstacles preventing that.

Firstly, Saka came through the Hale End academy and would likely consider his best-case scenario as staying at Emirates Stadium for his entire career. There is also the factor of finances with it unlikely Liverpool could afford what the Gunners would likely demand, despite having spent a minimal amount this past summer.

However, interest from Europe is likely to arrive depending on how the next few years goes. If Arsenal win countless trophies with Saka as the talisman, remaining in north London is very likely but a lack of silverware could see his head turn as he approaches his prime years.

The 23-year-old is already showing the signs of being a world class player and he will likely only get better which makes it vital that Arsenal start winning the big prizes.