LONDON: Roma sporting director Monchi has conceded that Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah had been sold on the cheap to Liverpool for €40 million ($49 million) before “the Neymar effect” transformed the market.
“To understand this sale you have to understand two things. Firstly, it was made before the Neymar effect which revolutionized the transfer market,” Monchi said.
Brazilian striker Neymar’s world record €222 million move from Barcelona to Paris St.Germain last August started a chain reaction. French forward Ousmane Dembele subsequently moved from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona in a deal worth €145 million, with Brazilian Philippe Coutinho moving to Barcelona from Liverpool for €160 million in January.
“We also had to sell him (Salah) before June 30 (because of Financial Fair Play constraints),” Monchi continued.
“Those who know a little about business know that it’s like having the Sword of Damocles over your head.”
“So if we take these two elements into account I think that we made a correct sale.
“Now he’s had a incredible season and with the effect of Neymar, Coutinho, Dembele, his value is without a doubt much more,” added the former Sevilla sporting director.
Salah, 25, is the top scorer in the Premier League with 28 goals in 30 matches. In total he has scored 36 in all competitions during his first season at Liverpool.
“He’s very strong,” continued Monchi. “But it’s amazing because he’s returned to a league where he wasn’t successful when he was at Chelsea.
“He found a coach, teammates who trust him, a team that suits him well, which corresponds to his style of play.”
Roma boss admits Mohamed Salah was ‘sold on the cheap’
Roma boss admits Mohamed Salah was ‘sold on the cheap’
Bangladesh board says ICC considering request to move their World Cup games from India
- Bangladesh cites security concerns amid strained ties with India as it seeks venue change for T20 World Cup matches
- ICC says it is engaging with Bangladesh board and reviewing request as part of tournament security planning
NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Wednesday that the sport’s global governing body, the International Cricket Council, is considering their request to move their Twenty20 World Cup matches out of India over safety concerns.
Amid fraught relations between the two countries, Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kolkata Knight Riders said at the weekend that the country’s cricket board (BCCI) had told them to drop Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
Bangladesh’s interim government has since banned broadcasts of the IPL, and the BCB have refused to play their World Cup matches in India, which is co-hosting the February 7 to March 8 event with Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three World Cup matches in Kolkata next month.
“In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament,” the BCB said.
“The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event.”
The ICC and Indian board did not immediately reply to requests for comment from Reuters.
Some media reports have suggested the ICC, which is headed by former Indian board chief Jay Shah, had told Bangladesh they must play in India or forfeit the matches.
However, the BCB said reports of such an ultimatum were “completely false” and that it would work with the ICC to arrive at a solution that ensures their successful participation.
Tensions have risen in recent weeks between India and Bangladesh.
Hundreds protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi last month after a Hindu factory worker was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district over allegations he insulted the Prophet Muhammad.
