LONDON: Roma sporting director Monchi has conceded that Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah had been sold on the cheap to Liverpool for 鈧�40 million ($49 million) before 鈥渢he Neymar effect鈥� transformed the market.
鈥淭o understand this sale you have to understand two things. Firstly, it was made before the Neymar effect which revolutionized the transfer market,鈥� Monchi said.
Brazilian striker Neymar鈥檚 world record 鈧�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 鈧�145 million, with Brazilian Philippe Coutinho moving to Barcelona from Liverpool for 鈧�160 million in January.
鈥淲e also had to sell him (Salah) before June 30 (because of Financial Fair Play constraints),鈥� Monchi continued.
鈥淭hose who know a little about business know that it鈥檚 like having the Sword of Damocles over your head.鈥�
鈥淪o if we take these two elements into account I think that we made a correct sale.
鈥淣ow he鈥檚 had a incredible season and with the effect of Neymar, Coutinho, Dembele, his value is without a doubt much more,鈥� 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.
鈥淗e鈥檚 very strong,鈥� continued Monchi. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 amazing because he鈥檚 returned to a league where he wasn鈥檛 successful when he was at Chelsea.
鈥淗e found a coach, teammates who trust him, a team that suits him well, which corresponds to his style of play.鈥�