Jamie Carragher has questioned Mohamed Salah’s decision to join Trabzonspor, believing he could have joined a “bigger” club after leaving Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah’s situation had been quiet for most of the summer, especially considering he announced his departure from Liverpool well before the season ended. There had been plenty of speculation about a move to Saudi Arabia over the last few years, but some reports suggested that his salary demands may have put a move to the Middle East at risk.
The Liverpool fan favourite may have been waiting for Egypt’s World Cup campaign to conclude before exploring his next club. Besiktas were closing in on an agreement; however, further reports about the potential move stated that there were considerable gaps between the wages offered and those demanded.
Over the last few days, Trabzonspor had been closing in on an agreement with Salah, and, according to their official accounts, the Egyptian has signed for the club. There are suggestions that the Turkish outfit offered the winger substantial wages, which may have influenced his decision.
Jamie Carragher umimpressed by Salah’s move to Turkey
Former Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher was unimpressed by Salah’s decision to join Trabzonspor. Speaking via Sky Sports, Carragher openly questioned his choice to move to Turkey instead of one of Europe’s top leagues, as he believes the attacker still has what it takes to play at the highest level and feels the Turkish league is “too low.”
Carragher said, “I never believed he was going to go to Saudi Arabia because, number one, he’s too good for that. I think he can be playing in Serie A. Turkey, for me, feels a level too low. I was convinced he’d end up at AC Milan or Juventus or somewhere like that. Maybe his wages were a problem. Looking at him, I don’t know him and have obviously never spoken to him.
“But he’s like Ronaldo; he’s so driven, and his numbers mean so much to him. I thought he could still do this in Turkey, by the way, but I thought he’d want to play at a really prestigious club. Obviously, his wage demands have put a few people off, but I thought he might almost curb those demands to get a better club.
“To go to AC Milan or Juventus, or whoever it may be, play at San Siro, still play in big games, and continue playing in Europe. Turkey just feels like… I just think he’s better than that.”
Salah did have offers from Europe’s top divisions, according to reports, amid links with Atletico Madrid, for example. There had also been speculation about interest from Italy, but the move to Turkey might have been financially motivated. Given that he is 34, there may be an argument that he no longer wants to play at the highest levels after spending many years at Liverpool.
