Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool has been a subject of intense speculation for much of the past season, with the Egyptian winger frequently linked with a move away from Anfield. While the 31-year-old ultimately committed his long-term future to the Merseyside club by signing a new contract until 2027, a surprising revelation has emerged suggesting that Mohamed Salah seriously considered an unexpected return to one of his former clubs, Chelsea.
Salah’s journey from Stamford Bridge to global superstardom has been nothing short of remarkable, and his potential move back to Chelsea was something that seemed almost unthinkable just a few years ago. This report raises questions about Mohamed Salah’s ambitions, the state of his relationship with Liverpool, and his future aspirations as one of the world’s premier attacking players.
Salah’s Contract Drama at Liverpool
Salah’s renewal with Liverpool seemed like a formality after months of negotiation and public comments from both the player and the club. The Egyptian has been one of the most vital players in Liverpool’s recent successes, helping propel the Reds to multiple titles, including a Premier League crown and a Champions League victory. But despite this success, Mohamed Salah found himself in a period of uncertainty regarding his contract.
Throughout the 2024/25 season, Mohamed Salah’s existing contract was winding down, and by January 2025, he had just six months left on his deal, sparking an array of rumors about his future. Several top European clubs, particularly from the Saudi Pro League, reportedly entered the race to secure his services, offering wages that would see him earn in the upper echelons of global football.
For a time, it seemed as though Mohamed Salah might be leaving Liverpool sooner rather than later. Speculation heightened when the player himself described the season as potentially being his “last year” at the club. As time ticked on, Liverpool fans grew increasingly concerned about the future of their talisman, while other clubs rubbed their hands together at the thought of landing one of the most dangerous wingers in world football.
However, on Friday, Mohamed Salah put all the rumors to rest when he signed a two-year extension with Liverpool, ensuring his stay at Anfield until 2027. The new deal marked the end of months of tense negotiations but also signified the player’s commitment to a team that has been a massive part of his career renaissance.
Shock Move to Chelsea – The Intrigue Behind the Rumors
Despite the wave of speculation linking him to high-profile clubs, Mohamed Salah’s mind may have drifted towards an entirely unexpected direction. According to reports from The Athletic, there was genuine “intrigue” in a potential return to Chelsea, the club where Mohamed Salah’s Premier League career initially stalled.
Salah’s first stint in England, back in 2014, was far from the rousing success he would later enjoy in his career. Under the management of José Mourinho, Salah struggled to find his place in the Chelsea squad. In his two-and-a-half years at the club, he made just 13 appearances in the Premier League, with only 10 starts. His time at Stamford Bridge was characterized by underwhelming performances and a lack of regular game time, despite some strong showings in his loan spells in Serie A.
Chelsea ultimately decided to cut their losses, selling Mohamed Salah to Roma in 2016 for a relatively modest fee. This move proved to be a turning point in his career, as his time in Italy revitalized his form, making him one of the top players in Europe and leading to his eventual move to Liverpool in 2017. The rest, as they say, is history—Salah has become one of the most prolific forwards in Europe, winning multiple individual accolades and contributing massively to Liverpool’s success on both the domestic and international stage.
However, The Athletic claims that Salah was left feeling as though he had “unfinished business” at Chelsea. The Egypt international reportedly believed he still had something to prove at Stamford Bridge, and this lingering desire may have played a role in his thinking during the winter of 2025 when he was mulling over his next move. Salah’s decision to entertain the possibility of a return to Chelsea, albeit briefly, indicates that he was not simply seeking financial gain but perhaps a chance to right the wrongs of his first, unsuccessful stint in London.
The Role of Ramy Abbas Issa: Mohamed Salah’s Long-Term Representative
Much of the decision-making process surrounding Salah’s future was influenced by his long-time representative, Ramy Abbas Issa. Issa has been a key figure in Salah’s career, guiding him through various transfers, sponsorship deals, and career decisions. According to reports, Issa was keen to keep his client in the Premier League, as moving to a league outside of Europe’s elite would have had significant consequences on Salah’s lucrative endorsement deals.
Salah is one of the most marketable footballers in the world, and his sponsors are likely to have a significant influence on his career decisions. Moving to a league like the Saudi Pro League, as some reports suggested, would have jeopardized his commercial appeal in Europe and beyond. This would have been a major factor in Issa’s push to keep Salah within the European footballing fold, which likely meant staying with a top-tier club in one of the five major European leagues.
Despite this, Salah reportedly rejected offers from both Manchester United and Manchester City—two of England’s biggest clubs. His decision not to entertain offers from these clubs further suggested that he had his sights set on a return to Chelsea or, perhaps, on remaining at Liverpool to finish what he had started.
Chelsea’s Potential Move: A Strategic Shift?
Had the possibility of a return to Chelsea turned into a concrete move, it would have represented a major shift in the club’s strategy. Chelsea’s recent transfer activity has focused heavily on youth development and building a squad with long-term potential. The club’s ownership, led by Todd Boehly, has been adamant about sticking to a youth-centric policy, promoting young talent and resisting the temptation to bring in older, high-priced players.
This policy has often been questioned, with fans and pundits alike wondering whether it’s too rigid in the context of an ever-evolving footballing landscape. However, Chelsea’s previous interest in signing Cristiano Ronaldo—prior to his departure from Manchester United—raises the possibility that the club could make exceptions for certain players.
Would Chelsea have been willing to abandon their youth-driven model to sign a 31-year-old player with a history at the club? It’s hard to say. The club’s direction under Boehly has often seemed unpredictable, and with the right offer, they might have decided to splash the cash on a player who could bring immediate success to Stamford Bridge.
Salah’s Commitment to Liverpool and What Lies Ahead
Ultimately, Salah’s decision to remain at Liverpool was the most likely outcome all along. The club’s renewed commitment to Salah was part of a wider strategy to maintain their status as one of Europe’s elite clubs, and with Salah on board until 2027, they now have a key figure locked down for the future.
While his decision not to return to Chelsea may raise some eyebrows, it highlights Salah’s clear focus on continuing his legacy at Liverpool. The Egyptian forward remains one of the most important players for Jurgen Klopp’s team and, despite some injury setbacks this season, he continues to deliver at the highest level.
Liverpool will now look ahead to the 2025/26 season with Salah as a central figure in their plans, as they aim to rebuild after a somewhat tumultuous 2024/25 campaign. Having been the club’s best player for years, Salah’s new deal represents a strong statement of intent from the Reds, who aim to keep their star player and continue challenging for the top honors in both England and Europe.
Conclusion: What Does the Future Hold for Mohamed Salah?
While Mohamed Salah’s brief flirtation with a move to Chelsea was certainly a surprising development, it ultimately became clear that his future lay at Liverpool. The Egyptian forward, who has become a club legend during his time at Anfield, is now committed to the club for the next two seasons, ensuring that he will continue to be a key figure in their ambitions.
Despite the allure of Chelsea and the tempting offers from Saudi Pro League clubs, Salah’s desire to stay in the Premier League and his commercial interests seem to have outweighed any desire to change clubs at this point in his career. For now, Salah remains a Liverpool player—and with his new contract in place, the next phase of his career in Merseyside begins.
As for Chelsea, the missed opportunity to bring back a player they once let slip away serves as another reminder of the ever-changing dynamics of football transfers. While they may have missed out on Salah this time, the club will continue to evolve its approach to the transfer market, always on the lookout for the next big signing. For Salah, though, the next chapter of his career will likely continue to be written in red.
