Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah may already have his mind set on joining Real Madrid instead of signing a new deal, according to former top flight striker Frank McAvennie.
The Lowdown: Salah's future still undecided
The 29-year-old's future is an ongoing talking point, having been unable to agree terms over a new deal at Anfield in recent months.
Salah's current contract expires at the end of next season, meaning Liverpool either risk losing him this summer in a big-money exit, or next year for free.
Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the Egyptian, who was named the FWA Footballer of The Year on Friday, following a stunning individual season that has seen him score 22 Premier League goals to date.
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The Latest: McAvennie drops fresh claim
Speaking to Football Insider, 62-year-old McAvennie claimed that he's heard Madrid may already be on Salah's mind - something that is no doubt concerning from a Liverpool perspective:
"I don’t know about Salah staying at Liverpool. I saw somewhere he’s made up his mind wanting to go to Real Madrid, that’s what people are saying.
"That’s the rumour and it makes sense if he doesn’t want to sign this new deal. If it’s not about the money then why hasn’t he signed? Because you can bet Liverpool are offering him loads of money.
"Real Madrid is the club you read about and a lot of players want to move there. If Salah wants to do that then Klopp staying makes absolutely no difference, as brilliant as it is for the club."
The Verdict: Surely he stays now?
While anyone of a Liverpool persuasion won't want to feel too confident about Salah's future, a move to Madrid instead of signing a new deal would now be a big surprise.
The fact that Jurgen Klopp has extended his stay at Anfield should be a huge reason for the forward doing the same, with any top club outside of England arguably a step down at the moment, in terms of quality and trophies.
Salah still feels likely to sign on the dotted line in the near future, although if that failed to materialise and he left in the summer, it would be an enormous blow, considering his status as an undoubted all-time Reds great now, following 155 goals in 247 matches overall.
In other news, Paul Joyce has made an exciting Liverpool transfer claim. Read more here.