Former Roma co-owner Jim Pallotta has revealed he ‘hated’ the sale of Mo Salah to Liverpool in 2017.
The Egyptian star joined Liverpool for an initial £36.5million fee, rising to £43million with add-ons.
At the time, it was seen as a bit of an expensive risk for the Anfield club. Despite his goalscoring exploits with Roma, the forward had failed to impress at Chelsea earlier in his career.
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Since then, Salah’s impact on Liverpool has been almost immeasurable.
He’s scored 120 goals in just 193 appearances and helped them to Champions League victory in 2018/19.
Salah also scored 19 goals as Liverpool secured their first Premier League title last season.
However, the player’s career could’ve been far different if Pallotta had gotten his way while at Roma.
Speaking about Salah’s transfer, the former owner told The Athletic: “Salah was a wonderful kid that I hated to lose.
“I loved him. I didn’t want to sell him. But I had no choice.
“Salah was going to go no matter what because he had something to prove. That was the difference.”
The 28-year-old had become a Roma star during his two-year spell in Italy.
But he was intent on making it in the Premier League after seeing limited success while at Stamford Bridge.
Salah is now being linked with a major move to Spain.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are both rumoured to hold an interest in the player.
In December, he responded to the links by saying: “I think Madrid and Barcelona are two top clubs. Who knows what will happen in the future.
“But right now I am focused on winning the Premier League and the Champions League with Liverpool again.”
There are a number of players Liverpool could target if Salah were to leave.
Ousmane Dembele is close to a Barcelona exit after enduring a tough spell at the Nou Camp.
His form has picked up recently but the French winger may still be sold as Barca raise funds for their Erling Haaland pursuit.
Leeds United’s Raphinha is another option. Given his brilliant first season in the Prem, the former Rennes man could be a perfect fit at Anfield.
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