Mo Salah performs transfer U-turn as Barcelona make intervention amid Liverpool star’s promise to friends

Mo Salah told close friends he was going to commit his future to Liverpool – only to perform a major about-turn after Barcelona promised to take him to the Nou Camp in summer 2023.

The Egypt superstar is agonising over his next move with his contract at his current club expiring in 12 months’ time.

Liverpool have been locked in talks since last summer over an extension to his deal but have so far been unable to strike an agreement.

Salah is looking for a major payrise but the Reds are reluctant to break their wage structure.

If the parties cannot come to an agreement and the Premier League giants hold on to him for the upcoming season, they risk losing him for nothing in a year’s time.

That will cue a transfer frenzy but it’s being reported by our sister site, the Daily Mirror, Salah has been told by Barcelona they want him in Catalunya next summer.

It’s understood Barca’s vow is a major factor in the forward stalling on a new Liverpool contract – despite the 29-year-old informing his circle he was ready to sign an extension with the Scousers.

Salah insisted he will be at Anfield next season before their Champions League Final heartbreak to Real Madrid. He said: "In my mind, I don't focus on the contract. I don't want to be selfish at all. I said two months ago it's about the team. It's an important week for us.

"I'm just focused on the team and winning the Champions League again. I want to see Hendo [Jordan Henderson] with the trophy in their hands and hopefully he gives it to me. I don't want to talk about the contract now, I'm staying next season for sure, that's clear."

Liverpool will hope Jurgen Klopp's recent contract extension - that keeps the German in the Anfield dugout until at least 2026 - will help