Mohamed Salah is "closer than ever" to extending his Liverpool contract after it emerged that Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Real Madrid.

Reports in Egypt say that Alexander-Arnold's departure has freed up budget to hand Salah a salary that he deems acceptable after several months with little progress in negotiations.

Right-back Alexander-Arnold has been tracked by Madrid for the last two years and it emerged on Monday that he is set to join the Spanish giant, and could potentially even link up with the squad for the start of this summer's revamped Club World Cup.

Egyptian outlet Masrawy quotes as a source as saying: "Liverpool's management has opened negotiations with Rami Abbas, Mohamed Salah's agent, to renew the Egyptian star's contract with Liverpool for the time being.

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"Negotiations between Liverpool and Rami Abbas, Salah's agent, are much more advanced this time than ever before, and the offer presented is higher than any offer made to the player before.

"Alexander-Arnold's imminent departure from Liverpool will be a major factor in Salah's contract renewal, following the reduction of the club's high salaries, allowing the Egyptian star to be given what he desires in his new contract with the Reds."

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