Peter Crouch has admitted he thinks that Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabia next summer.
The Reds rejected what would have been a club-record £150m offer from Al-Ittihad for the Egyptian at the end of last month
Crouch warned his former club that the Middle Eastern league won’t give up in their pursuit of Salah.
Crouch:
“I think even the most staunch Liverpool and Salah supporter will understand if he does another year (then leaves),”
“This is something that’s going to rumble on. I don’t think it’s something that’s just going to go away. They’ve proven, the teams in the Saudi League, that if they want someone, they invariably get them.
“I think with Salah, it’s something that will rumble on this season. I think he will be totally dedicated to Liverpool’s cause, but I think it might work for both parties really if they get a big fee for him (next year). And for Salah, obviously it’s the financial gain of playing in Saudi Arabia.”
Crouch added
“I don’t know about that because he remained really, really quiet, didn’t he?” the former Reds striker said when asked if he thought Salah would have liked to depart.
“He didn’t say too much.
"He got his head down and performed (against Villa). He didn’t look to me in any way like he was upset or downing tools.
“I think there was an element of him that would have maybe, I don’t want to say interested but asked for a conversation, of course.
“He looks like he is more than happy where he is and I don’t think we could sit here and begrudge him if he did want to move because he has won absolutely everything, scored more goals than anyone in the Premier League for Liverpool. It’s absolutely incredible what he’s achieved and continues to achieve.
“Obviously with my Liverpool hat on, I want him to stay as long as possible because he’s shown no sign of letting up, whatsoever.”
Crouch continued
“If you’re a 31 or 32 year old who has won everything, I don’t think you can really begrudge (the move),” Crouch said. “Let’s not dress it up, it’s one last pay day.
“I can’t sit here and try to, I think we all know the reason why people are going there. That’s what it is, that’s not going to change.
“The amount of good players they are buying, that league will become competitive. I’m sure it will. But let’s be honest, it’s miles behind where you want to be as a young player.
“If I’m 21 or 22 years of age, I’ve got the chance to go to Real Madrid, Barcelona or Liverpool over the Saudi league, of course you’ll choose the European leagues unless you’re financially motivated.”
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