UK bookmakers have pegged Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah to win the Premier League’s top scorer award following the Egyptian’s hat-trick performance against Leeds United in their opening top-flight fixture on Saturday.
Salah is the outright favorite for the Golden Boot at 4/1, with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in behind at 9/2 and Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane at 13/2. Premier League newcomer Timo Werner, who joined Chelsea in June, is 8/1.
Having helped the Reds lift the Champions League trophy and win the Premier League for the first time, Salah is now rumored to be intent on moving to Barcelona. That is according to Sjaak Swart, a close friend of new Barca manager Ronald Koeman.
Koeman was brought in after the Spanish club’s season hit a wall against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The club promptly fired Quique Setién but the fallout could have been a lot worse had Lionel Messi not reneged on his desire to leave.
Salah is said to be top priority for Koeman and Swart went a bit further in stating that the two-time African Player of the Year has mutual feelings. "I know Koeman wants him – and I know Salah would like to go,” the former Ajax star told Dutch publication Voetbalzone.nl.
Pressed for the source of his information, Swart refused to divulge. "I can’t,” he said. “I am not going into any more details, but just believe me that I know.”
Bookmakers 888sport have 1/50 odds on Salah to still be at Anfield when the transfer window shuts. Said sportsbook has 9/1 odds on a move to Barcelona while Bayern Munich is thought to have a 14/1 shot at signing the Egyptian. With Freebets.com you can get the latest new UK bookies and the best deals going around this season.
Liverpool’s 2/1 to successfully defend the Premier League title this season but Manchester City is favored at 5/6. Chelsea’s 10/1 following their remarkable recruitment in recent times and Manchester United are considered to have a 16/1 chance.
The Reds, who opened a second academy in Africa last year, have been attached to 7/1 odds where Champions League glory is concerned but City’s also the favorites on that front at 4/1. Current champions Bayern Munich are 9/2 and their final opponents, French giants Paris Saint-Germain are 9/1.
Salah’s three goals leave him with 76 in 109 appearances since joining Liverpool. "There have been a lot of good performances for us from Mo for sure, but this was one of the better ones,” Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said after the game.
"He should be proud of it because it's very special to get these kinds of numbers. Long may it continue."
For now, it does appear that the player’s future lies with Liverpool. He’s contracted to the club until June of 2023 but they would do well to offer him a new deal way ahead of the expiration date on his deal.