Football world is ever-changing and evolving in different aspects. These days, the old saying that states, “it’s more than just a game” has a double meaning. For some, it will be a breather from everyday life and a chance to experience emotions with other like minded individuals. However, others will be guided by greed, seeing it as nothing but a business philosophy and there is one thing that dismays me about this particular ideal. Football has long been a bedrock of working-class culture in the UK, that was importantly available for everyone to access. But in more recent times it seems not to be a case – it has become a profitable industry with top teams making heaps of money from broadcasting rights and sponsorship deals, which has raised ticket prices and made wearing the club shirt an almost unnatainable target for many families. Will it ever stop or have we dropped in too deep?
As changes are inevitable, there is one specific position in football that seems to go through a small crisis due to the lack of proven options on the market right now. We are talking about a proven goalscorer that can deliver on a regular basis every season, not a flavour of the month. I believe that a deficit of this position may stem from the the evolution of tactics, in which managers deploy many other players to score goals by using their high-pressure football. However, my other theory would suggest that it’s a formidable task to deliver consistently and that’s why only some of the best football players can make it.
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has wrote for the Mirror that Mbappe, Haaland, Messi, Lewandowski, Benzema, Kane, Salah, Neymar and Ronaldo are the names of proven forwards that have been on the radar of big clubs for the past decade and are still performing week in and week out.
Fowler went on to say in his opinion piece for the Mirror that two clubs in Europe will have their eyes on Mohamed Salah. He believes that Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain could bid for him. However, he adds that Liverpool fans shouldn’t worry about it.
"“I only mention Salah because I’ve thought for a few months now that he could be targeted this summer, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if both Madrid and PSG come in for him – with the French club nailed on in my opinion to try and get him” he wrote in the Mirror.“I think it won’t just be Harry Kane who will be in demand this summer, but Mo Salah – though obviously I’m not suggesting for one minute that Liverpool should, or will, sell him”."
Real Madrid and PSG are in need of a new forward signing this summer. The former has already lost Karim Benzema who decided to embark on a new journey to Saudi Arabia. As it stands, Los Blancos’ primary target to replace the French target man is Harry Kane. But it seems that reaching an agreement with Daniel Levy for the England striker will be an uphill battle. Paris Saint-German, meanwhile, have bid farewell to Lionel Messi. The Argentine footballer joined Inter Miami and there are reports suggesting that Neymar could also be on the move, while Kylian Mbappe today refused to commit his future to the club.
However, it is inevitable that such a reliable gem like Salah will be linked with the giants. Last summer the No. 11 signed a new three-year contract until 2025. As it stands, his contract is due to expire just after he turns 33. The Egyptian King has amassed 186 goals and is now Liverpool’s joint-fifth top goalscorer, sharing this spot with reds legend Steven Gerrard. Despite Liverpool’s horrible last season and a failure to qualify for the Champions League, Salah kept his bar high. He has accumulated an overall tally of 30 goals in the 2022-23 season that saw him become Liverpool’s leading goalscorer once again.
Alexis Mac Allister is the first addition to the reds’ squad as it keep on rebuilding. He completed a move from Brighton & Hove Albion. But further midfield signings are expected at Anfield. As it stands, Liverpool have six attacking options now in Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Fabio Carvalho.