Mohamed Salah's future remains the subject of speculation ahead of the forward's Liverpool contract expiring in 2023
Glen Johnson has had his say on the Egyptian's future and what Liverpool need to do in the January transfer market.
Liverpool are reportedly prepared to make Salah the highest-paid player in the club’s history.
But suggestions that the 29-year-old is set to demand £400,000 a week, putting him on par with the Premier League’s highest earners and obliterating Liverpool's wage structure in the process, has understandably kept the Reds chewing over a conclusion.
Barcelona were linked with Salah earlier this week with reports suggesting new manager Xavi has made the Egypt international a priority signing despite the Catalans having debts said to total £1bn.
And former Reds defender Glen Johnson believes Liverpool find themselves in a win-win scenario regarding Salah’s future, but queried why he would consider a move to Camp Nou in the first place.
"We know when Liverpool renew players and when they sign players, it’s all about numbers and stats,” Johnson said. "They'll only do it if their computer says so.
"They have got the new deal coming along, he will demand big wages and he is getting older. If they get offered a silly amount of money transfer fee wise, it might be tempting, but you just don’t know. We just have to see what the deal that is offered is when it comes.
"I'm sure Liverpool will be thinking, 'great, if it's at all costs then make us a silly offer. If not, we keep Mo Salah'. It's win-win.
"Timing is everything. Barcelona of old, of course that gets everyone’s attention. But they're not that team at the moment, they’re not that club at the moment.
"In terms of timing, if you're a 23-year-old then of course because you can be a Barcelona legend for the next two years.
"But with Mo being slightly older, to go to Barcelona for two years, what's the point? You could stay at Liverpool for two or three more years and be a legend.
"I think his ears would be pricked a lot more if he was 23 than he would now."