Liverpool to Fund Olise Swoop with Salah's Freed-Up Wages as Egyptian Departs on Free Transfer

The Salah chapter at Anfield is closing. Liverpool confirmed on Tuesday evening that Mohamed Salah will depart at the end of the 2025-26 season, bringing an end to his nine-year tenure at the club, and fresh details have emerged about how the Reds plan to move forward.

Despite Salah's contract running through June 2027, the club and player have agreed to a mutual termination that will see him leave on a free transfer come summer. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the arrangement, noting that Liverpool have accepted Salah's wish to pursue a new chapter after his storied Anfield career. Ben Jacobs added that the exit mirrors the negotiated departure with former manager Jurgen Klopp—a structured agreement rather than a messy severance.

The club's official statement emphasised Salah's desire to provide transparency to supporters, citing his respect and gratitude for the fanbase.

Now comes the business end: replacing a genuine legend. Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, valued at €140 million (£121m), represents Liverpool's primary target. The 24-year-old winger possesses the calibre required to fill Salah's boots, though prising him from the Bundesliga will demand serious work.

Here's where it gets interesting. The freed-up wages—roughly £450,000 per week from Salah's salary—can now be channelled towards an Olise deal. That's substantial recruitment firepower. However, there's a catch: Olise's representatives have made clear that Champions League football is non-negotiable. Without European football at the required level, the move is off the table.

So Liverpool's summer hinges not just on their ability to negotiate with Bayern, but on their ability to secure top-four football this season.