LIVERPOOL, July 1 Betandsured. Mohamed Salah is officially a free agent today after reaching an agreement with Liverpool to terminate his contract 12 months early, opening the door for the Egyptian to finally grant Chelsea legend Didier Drogba his long held wish of a return to Stamford Bridge.
The 34 year old departs Anfield having scored 257 goals in 440 appearances across all competitions, a haul that places him third on the club’s all time scoring list behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt . His nine year spell on Merseyside yielded two Premier League titles and Champions League glory, cementing his status as one of the most significant figures in the club’s modern history.
However, his final campaign was overshadowed by a public breakdown in his relationship with manager Arne Slot, with the forward’s form dipping dramatically as he managed just seven league goals . The club announced his departure in March, with Slot’s subsequent exit and Andoni Iraola’s arrival doing nothing to alter the decision .
Drogba’s Long Held Ambition
Salah’s availability has reignited the hopes of Chelsea icon Drogba, who urged his former club to re sign the winger back in 2021 during a previous contract stand off with Liverpool.
“If I am selfish, I will tell Salah to leave Liverpool and return to Chelsea,” Drogba told Al Axis TV. “My opinion is that Salah will remain the best, no matter if he continues at Liverpool or if he moves.”
The Ivorian, who played alongside Salah during the Egyptian’s first, unsuccessful spell at Stamford Bridge in 2014, had previously revealed how the young forward would text him seeking advice during his struggles in west London. “There was time when he was texting me: ‘I don’t score, I don’t know why.’ I said: ‘It is just a matter of time and confidence'”, Drogba recalled to BBC Sport .
Salah’s first Chelsea stint yielded just 13 Premier League appearances and two goals before loan moves to Fiorentina and Roma, who signed him permanently in 2016. A year later, Liverpool brought him back to English football for £34 million, a move that would prove transformative for both the player and the club.
Saudi Interest and Premier League Possibilities
The most heavily touted destination for Salah remains the Saudi Pro League, with Al Hilal reportedly prepared to offer the free agent a lucrative three year contract worth approximately €60 million . However, with the forward currently focused on Egypt’s World Cup campaign, no agreement has yet been announced .
That uncertainty has fuelled speculation of a sensational Premier League return, with former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly recently suggesting to FootballTransfers that new Blues manager Xabi Alonso should explore a move for Salah. “Maybe Salah wants a London club for his family, for a better quality of life,” Desailly said .
One Italian journalist has indicated that Luciano Spalletti has mentioned Salah’s name in informal chats at Juventus’ training ground, though the financial demands of securing the Egyptian appear beyond the Serie A club’s reach .
For now, Salah’s immediate focus remains on international duty. Having guided Egypt to the World Cup Round of 32 for the first time, he will lead his country against Australia on Friday . His next club destination, whether in the Premier League or beyond, will have to wait until Egypt’s tournament run concludes.
As Drogba himself once observed of his former team mate: “When you have the confidence, everything can happen” .
