'No chance' – Insider issues Salah claim, disrupting Slot's transfer plans

Bayern Munich’s director of sport, Max Eberl, has outlined two reasons why his club will not be pursuing Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah – which could be bad news for Arne Slot’s own transfer plans.

Salah’s immediate future was hurled into the limelight following the Egyptian’s post-match comments after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds United, which saw the Reds squander two advantages as the star winger looked on from the bench.

His tirade cost him a place on the plane as the Premier League holders travelled to Italy for their Champions League clash against Inter.

And with the Africa Cup of Nations getting underway in mid-December, we will be in the middle of the January transfer window once Salah returns from Morocco, victorious or not.

A move to Saudi Arabia has been mooted, while there have been whispers of a European heavyweight taking advantage of the frayed relationship between the winger and manager Slot.

However, in his latest transfer round-up, Bayern insider Christian Falk has claimed there is ‘no chance’ that Salah will be off to Munich, with Max Eberl declaring that the winger is not under consideration at the Allianz Arena, not least because of the finances required.

Falk went on to surmise that Eberl and Bayern would also have reservations over his age – Salah turns 34 in the summer.

Interestingly, Falk tied the lack of enthusiasm over bringing Salah to Germany to Liverpool’s apparent interest in Bayern wide-man Michael Olise.

Now that Bayern have effectively declared they will not move for Salah, this appears to have stopped any Liverpool approach for the Frenchman in its tracks.

Looking at the statistics below (as per FBref), they have both been fine attacking outlets since the start of last season, suggesting that Olise may well fit the profile of a Salah successor.

While Vincent Kompany’s side intend to keep him anyway, Falk referenced rumours that buying Salah could lead to Bayern letting Olise go – perhaps to Liverpool.

He wrote: “They’re not afraid of losing Michael Olise. There’s no chance that anyone can get this player. The club made it clear; they’re already working on a new contract.

“There were already rumours about Mohamed Salah signing for Bayern Munich, which could then free Olise to go to Liverpool. No chance on this! Max Eberl made it clear: Salah is not on the list at Bayern Munich. He’s too expensive and, though Eberl didn’t say it, he’s too old.”

Of course, this could provide a silver lining for the Reds if they indeed hope to retain Salah’s services in the long term.

But if Salah does end this latest saga by packing his bags, replacing the Liverpool legend could be made more difficult now that Bayern’s stance over an ideal successor has been made clear.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.