Why Salah turned down ‘£500m Saudi move’ for Liverpool stay

Mohamed Salah is staying at Liverpool, bringing one of the season’s key storylines to a conclusion. At times, though, it seemed in doubt.

So What Happened Behind The Scenes?

Was there a £500m offer from Saudi Arabia and how did the Egypt forward go from being unsure of his future to expressing delight at signing a deal that lasts until he turns 34?

Deal breakthrough came at end of March

When Salah set the cat among the pigeons about his future in November by saying he was ‘more out than in’, he wasn’t being disingenuous.

READ ALSO:

• Bus accident in Lagos claims one life, injures two; driver, conductor fee scene
• Plateau: Father, two sons killed in fresh attack
• Kidnapping scare: Woman faints, others sustain injuries in Kogi

Yet it was also not misleading to say the Egyptian always wanted to stay at Liverpool. The two stances weren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.

It has always been Salah’s ambition to extend his eight-year stay at Anfield – and news today of his new two-year contract will bring the 32-year-old’s tenure at the club to a decade, should he see out the duration of the terms.

But the conditions – for both Salah and Liverpool – had to be right. Thankfully for the club’s supporters a middle ground was finally reached.

Sources close to the situation indicated a breakthrough in talks between Salah, his representative Ramy Abbas Issa and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was reached at the end of March, with the formalities of the deal concluded earlier this week.

Indeed, in an interview with BBC Sport, left-back Andy Robertson revealed he only found out about the Egypt forward’s new contract on Thursday.

Why Salah turned down ‘£500m Saudi move’ for Liverpool stay

Victor Osimhen speaks on Juventus transfer rumour

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has addressed speculations surrounding a potential move to Serie A side, Juventus.

Following a spectacular goal-scoring form for Galatasaray during his loan spell, Osimhen has attracted the attention of top European clubs and is expected to make a transfer decision by the end of the season.

According to the latest reports, Osimhen’s heroics in Turkey have been noticed by Juventus, who are keen to sign him.

READ ALSO:

• De Bruyne leads Man City comeback win against Palace
• US embassy announces new visa interview requirements for Nigerian applicants
• Breaking: Former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu passes away at 74

In a chat with Tuttomercatoweb, Osimhen stated that while such rumours abound, he chooses to live in the moment.

“There are always rumours about me, but I live in the moment. Now I’m enjoying all this. The fans have supported me in an incredible way.

“Not only me, but also my teammates and my family. The best decision for everyone will be made. But Galatasaray will always remain in my heart,” he said.

Victor Osimhen speaks on Juventus transfer rumour

De Bruyne leads Man City comeback win against Palace

Six days after being condemned for their performance in the derby stalemate at Old Trafford, Manc City roared back from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace in a thrilling encounter at Etihad Stadium.

After their defence had been badly exposed for Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards to put the visitors into a comfortable lead, City hit back after Palace had a third goal ruled out by a close call from the new semi-automated offside technology.

Outgoing City skipper Kevin de Bruyne was at the centre of the astounding reversal of fortunes.

First De Bruyne levelled as he deceived Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson with a superb 33rd-minute free-kick. Omar Marmoush levelled before the break with his seventh goal for City, and then Mateo Kovacic drove De Bruyne’s lay-off into the bottom corner a minute into the second half.

READ ALSO:

• US embassy announces new visa interview requirements for Nigerian applicants
• Breaking: Former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu passes away at 74
• ISWAP commander, 100 others killed in Katsina

James McAtee finally found the target after wasting a couple of excellent chances on his first Premier League start, dashing on to Ederson’s punt downfield before rounding Henderson and applying the finish. Nico O’Reilly’s deflected effort completed the scoring as City hit five goals in a home Premier League game for the first time this season.

It was a thrilling way to end an uncharacteristic run of six City games which had produced a total of 10 goals.

More importantly, it took them back into fourth spot in the Premier League and applied the pressure on Chelsea and Newcastle in the scrap for Champions League qualification.

There was some bad news as goalkeeper Ederson went down after feeling a pain in his leg as he went to make a routine second-half clearance and had to be replaced by Stefan Ortega.

De Bruyne leads Man City comeback win against Palace