Mohamed Salah’s contract negotiations with Liverpool last year were part of a Harvard Business School study… as never-before-seen details reveal the two parties were ‘very far’ apart before he finally signed a new deal

• Mohamed Salah was in a stand-off with Liverpool over a new contract last year
• A Harvard Business School study has provided details on the negotiations
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here 

A Harvard Business School study has released key details on Mohamed Salah’s extensive contract negotiations with Liverpool last year.

In summer 2022, Salah was heading into the final year of his contract at Liverpool and faced a big decision over whether to sign a new deal or potentially move on from the club.

The winger had just had another exceptional season, scoring 31 goals in all competitions as the Reds won two trophies and narrowly missed out on two others. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool were keen to keep him, and started discussions over a new deal, which Harvard Business School were privy to as part of a study at the distinguished US university.

They have now released never-before-seen details of their study, with Salah posting their statement on his social media on Sunday, and it reveals that discussions between the two parties were far from straightforward.

‘I am starting to fear that we may not be able to come to an agreement on a new contract, Mohamed – their latest offer is still very far from what we want,’ Salah was told by his lawyer and advisor Ramy Abbas Issa in a phone call in June 2022. 

A Harvard Business School study has released details of Mohamed Salah’s contract negotiations with Liverpool last year

Salah and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were ‘very far’ apart at one stage during talks

But Salah made it clear he wanted to stay and eventually signed a new contract

The study shows Salah has full trust in Abbas, as he is quoted as saying: ‘We are partners. I know he will always do what is best for me’.

Yet the Egyptian star was determined to not give up hope of committing his future to Liverpool, telling Abbas, ‘I want to stay with Liverpool. But the club needs to show they want me as well.’

The two men had a lengthy call where they put together a counteroffer before returning for conversations with Liverpool.

Their strategy worked, as at the start of July Salah finally put pen to paper on a new deal to keep him at Anfield until 2025.

Signing the deal ended the possibility of him running down his contract and leaving for free in 2023. Salah also got what he wanted as he became Liverpool’s highest paid player ever after agreeing wages of almost £400,000-a-week.

He did not rest on his laurels after penning his new deal either as he was one of Liverpool’s standout performer in a disappointing campaign last term, hitting the 30-goal mark once again.

Salah remains one of Liverpool’s most important players, and has made a blistering start to the season

His commitment was tested once again this summer, as Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad made Liverpool a £215m offer for Salah at the end of the transfer window.

Liverpool knocked back their bid, and despite West Ham striker Michail Antonio claiming Salah was ‘ready to leave’, he stayed put at Anfield.

Salah has not let the speculation surrounding his future affect his performances on the pitch as Jurgen Klopp’s men have made a strong start to the season.

The 31-year-old has registered three goals and four assists in Liverpool’s opening six league games to put his team in second place, just two points behind leaders Manchester City. 

Source: Read Full Article