
Originally Posted by
Insidious
Don't think it's about age, specifically.
I am loathe to use business terminology around the subject as it leads to the same, tired points of discussion, but it will be about "value" and "declining assets".
The club will more than likely want to pay the players for the rate that represents what they are and what they will become, as opposed to what they have achieved in the past.
If we have paid someone £350k-per-week during their absolute prime, who is now in their 30s, we are unlikely to raise it to £400k-per-week or more as they are unlikely to improve upon what has been a ridiculously high level. Unless Salah breaks the mould and gets EVEN BETTER they won't seem him to be worthy of a salary increase, much as we may protest given his massive contributions to the club.
Equally, Salah would (I imagine) rightly telling us where to go if we suddenly offered him a drop to £200k-per-week. So someone will be tasked with the unenviable job of offering him something where he still feels valued and respected, whilst we don't over-pay, as it isn't how we operate - until such a time where we tweak (or outright change) our model, which doesn't look to be imminent.
This is before we consider whether or not the funds could be better utilised. Whilst I would advocate to keep Salah, I can see why staff may feel that we could pay 3 younger lads around £100k-per-week (who are the future) rather than a 30+ year old.
Situation will be the same with Van Dijk. Trent likely hasn't peaked yet, so offering him a salary increase makes much more sense.