It’s clear why Mohamed Salah is considering a transfer from Liverpool—moving could boost his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has urged the club to do everything possible to secure a new contract for Mohamed Salah. He believes that offering Salah higher wages for the next couple of years is a smarter move than attempting to replace him with a player unlikely to match his output.

Collymore, who scored 35 goals in 81 games after his £8.5m transfer from Nottingham Forest in 1995, argues that Liverpool will struggle to find a worthy successor. Salah’s 25 goals and 17 assists in all competitions have been crucial in keeping Arne Slot’s team in a strong position as they enter February’s fixtures. His 21 Premier League goals have also helped Liverpool maintain a six-point lead at the top, with a Champions League last-16 tie on the horizon in March.

He insists that negotiating a new deal with Salah makes more financial sense than spending heavily on a replacement who may not deliver the same numbers. “Liverpool must do everything they can to keep Mohamed Salah,” Collymore told William Hill Vegas. “Players who can score 25 to 30 goals in a Premier League season are rare. Paying his wages for two or three more seasons is a better investment than searching for a successor who can match his level—because that player doesn’t exist right now.”

Collymore pointed to Manchester City’s decision to pay Erling Haaland top wages, emphasizing that elite goal-scorers are difficult to find. “You can mention players like Jean-Philippe Mateta or Ollie Watkins, but can they consistently score 25 or more goals a season? The likes of Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski are past their prime, so there aren’t many alternatives to Salah. He would likely stay if his wages were on par with Kevin De Bruyne or Haaland at City. Given his contributions to Liverpool, Salah has every right to ask for a deal that reflects his value.”

Collymore also suggested that if Liverpool win the Champions League, Salah could secure the Ballon d’Or. “For years, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi dominated the award, but now the focus has shifted to players performing at their absolute peak and directly influencing their team’s success. Salah fits that profile perf

ectly.”