Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has expressed concerns that the club could lose Mohamed Salah to Bayern Munich on a free transfer this summer. However, the 2005 Champions League winner believes that RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons would be a great addition to Arne Slot’s team.
Salah, along with club captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, will see his contract expire at the end of the season. Despite the Egyptian’s desire to remain in Merseyside, there’s been no indication of an agreement between the club and his representatives as he approaches the final weeks of his Anfield contract.
The 32-year-old, who has netted 32 goals across all competitions this season, has been loosely linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League. However, substantial links to European powerhouses have been scarce, despite the rampant speculation surrounding Salah’s long-term future.
Hamann, who donned the Reds’ jersey for seven years from 1999 to 2006, believes Bundesliga champions Bayern would be a suitable destination for Salah if he departs Liverpool later this year. The former Germany international also shared his thoughts on Van Dijk’s current situation, suggesting that Europe’s top clubs will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye.
“Mohamed Salah to Bayern Munich would be very exciting,” Dietmar Hamann expressed to PokerScout. “Bayern have Kingsley Coman, who hasn’t been the best recently, Leroy Sane looks set to leave the club, and the most impressive has been Michael Olise who signed last summer, so I think they need two or three wide players for next season.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
“Just like bringing Harry Kane to the club, it would be hugely exciting to see Salah at Bayern but also for the Bundesliga to have a player like Salah. Even if it was just for one or two years, I would absolutely love to see it.”
Regarding Virgil van Dijk, Hamann remarked: “There are not many teams that he wouldn’t improve. The longer the contract wait goes on the more offers he will have, there will be five or six clubs knocking on his door already. Bayern Munich have had a few issues defensively, but they’re pretty solid at the moment. Having said that, if he’s available, it’ll be about if he sees himself in Munich or Milan or wherever.
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“All big clubs including Bayern will have to see what’s possible because there are not many teams who wouldn’t improve with him in the side.” Hamann also sees RB Leipzig winger Simons as a perfect addition for Slot’s team, comparing the Dutch international to Philippe Coutinho.
“I think Xavi Simons is ready to join a club like Liverpool,” Hamann stated. “He pretty much carries that RB Leipzig team and has done so well, you’d just have to think about his position. He plays in an advanced role at the moment, so would need Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister behind or beside him.
“I think he is already and I’d say he is a similar player to Philippe Coutinho, which makes you think about how he left the club, but Simons is ready to play for a big club. There’s a chance Leipzig won’t get in the Champions League which would have an impact too, he is a brilliant player with great feet, an eye for goal and brings his team-mates into play.
“Liverpool don’t have a creator like him, it’s probably something they lack, they are very physical and have pace but the most similar player to Simons is probably Curtis Jones. He would certainly improve them.”
