West Ham player Michail Antonio talks of Mohamed Salah: ‘I know for a fact that he was ready to go.’

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West Ham player Michail Antonio said, ‘I know for a fact that [Mohamed Salah] was ready to go.’

Al Ittihad made a £150million bid for Mohamed Salah during the Summer Transfer window, but it was rejected on the grounds that the player was part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans for the season.

During the earliest days of the bid, many wondered whether Mohamed Salah might decide to end his contract with Liverpool. A contract obligating him to be in the club’s service for two more years.

The amount of money he was being priced was far above his worth in the European market, especially because of his age. Many understood how complicated the situation was: it was the case of  either selling an opportunity to lift the Premier League cup for £150million or hoping the chance to be the champion paid off.

News started circulating in those days that the higher-ups at Liverpool were being sorely-tempted by the bid, also, that they had informed helpless coach Klopp that the player might have to be sold.

Mohamed Salah playing against Wolverhampton

Respected Liverpool ex, Jamie Carragher even opined that the player would likely be be sold, given the amount the Arabians have placed on the table and the player’s age. It was he that said the club would not turn down £200million, but this prediction would have failed too, given what later happened.

After Al Ittihad saw just how hard it was for the team to part with the Moslem star, they postponed their quest. Rumours say the club is set to return during the January transfer window, and that Liverpool might be more willing to sell Salah then. What Ansfield stood to gain from Salah’s sale would buy them more talents.

‘[Mohamed Salah] didn’t turn [the offer] down, no way,’ says Michail Antonio. ‘He was locked up and the Reds had put that red arrow across: ‘You are not going anywhere’. He did not stop that at all. To be fair to him, he didn’t kick up a fuss and let them do what they were doing. But I know for a fact that he was ready to go.’

On went Antonio later: ‘What else can he do at Liverpool? He’s done it. It’s [Saudi] a great opportunity for him, he is a Muslim man and it had everything screaming out for him. There was no actual negative for the man to not go. I understand he has a contract, which he has fulfilled.

So he wins another [Premier League title], do you know what that just means? He has won another. It doesn’t add much to anything else. He has done everything he could possibly do at Liverpool. I am saying to you right now, a Muslim man going to a Muslim country, £215m to Liverpool for a 31-year-old – I just find it completely crazy they’ve not accepted that.

My question to you is this: what do you think Liverpool are playing for this year? Even if you couldn’t replace the man, let’s call this season a write-off.’