Mo Salah having another good match for Liverpool this week, and this time on the Champions League stage, was only going to further encourage the Spanish rumour websites.
Real Madrid links have already been made by Don Balon and their runaway imagination, and the €200m figure plucked from thin air seems to be one which is sticking.
That’s the amount it’s claimed Liverpool want for Salah, and it’s too much for Real Madrid to pay.
But, surprise, Don Balon have found a solution. With a headline reading ‘Done deal! The exchange of players that revolutionises Real Madrid’, the website goes on to say that Gareth Bale would be sent to Anfield along with some money and then Salah could go to Madrid.
We can’t see how this is a ‘done deal’, but then Don Balon will Don Balon.
In Madrid they’re said to be ‘sure’ Liverpool would accept such a deal, which is rather handy. Jurgen Klopp is said to be keen, but apparently Bale needs to be convinced it’s the right move for him.
There’s surely a bigger problem for Madrid here. Even if one believes the Real Madrid interest is genuine, the assumption €200m would get Salah may be wrong.
Sure, €200m is a huge fee and seems somewhat fair, but then Liverpool don’t have to sell. Fans would be furious at a straight €200m move, never mind one which involved Bale plus cash.
Perhaps this is a transfer which is truly priceless this summer… whatever Don Balon have convinced themselves.
