Topics: David Ornstein, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, Liverpool
David Ornstein has dropped a major update on the futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool.
Salah's contract at Anfield expires in June 2025, with Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold also heading into the final six months of their deals.
While Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold have given little indication as to the progress of their individual negotiations, Salah shocked everyone when he claimed that he was 'more out than in' following Liverpool's 3-2 win over Southampton last month.
The Egyptian also claimed he hadn't yet received an offer from Liverpool, and refused to rule out the 2-0 win over Manchester City last weekend being his final home fixture against the reigning Premier League champions.
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But Ornstein, writing in The Athletic, has revealed a significant new update to proceedings - and it could change everything.
He reports that, according to 'anonymous sources familiar with the process', Liverpool have now submitted their first contract offer to the Egyptian forward, having already done so for Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold.
It is added that there is a 'growing belief' at the club that all three players will stay, although no agreement has been reached and there is no indication that Salah will accept the offer.
Talks are said to be continuing between the Reds and all three players.
A sticking point between both parties in Salah's case, it is claimed, is in regards to the length and value of the contract. The forward turns 33 in June.
Van Dijk is in a similar position in terms of age - he turns 34 in July - while the Alexander-Arnold situation is different as he is 26 and is reportedly attracting heavy interest from Real Madrid.
Salah is enjoying arguably the best season of his Liverpool career so far, having scored 13 goals and providing eight assists in just 14 Premier League appearances.
His latest brace came in the 3-3 draw against Newcastle and put Liverpool in a position to win the game after they went 2-1 down.
All three out-of-contract players can negotiate pre-contract agreements with European clubs on January 1, which could put Liverpool at a disadvantage if talks drag on.
They will not have to worry about interest from English clubs for a while yet, though, as similar talks can only begin once the trio enter the final month of their deals.
