Mohamed Salah was’ready to go’ this summer, according to West Ham star Michail Antonio.

The Liverpool legend piqued the interest of Saudi heavyweights Al-Ittihad, who were attempting to make the Egyptian the Pro League’s record signing. The Jeddah club were apparently prepared to offer up to €150 million to €200 million for the Premier League and Champions League winner, which would have absolutely blown the previous record – Neymar to Al-Hilal for €90 million – out of the water.

Faced with the prospect of losing their talismanic goalscorer and being unable to sign a replacement because the English window had long since closed by that stage, the Reds remained hard and turned down all advances.

Since Liverpool could have received an extremely high sum for a 31-year-old player, many have questioned this choice. West Ham striker Michail Antonio is the most recent football figure to weigh in on the issue, claiming that Salah would have left had Liverpool not “locked him up.

What did Antonio say?

Antonio stated this during an appearance on the BBC’s The Footballer’s Football Podcast: He didn’t turn that offer down, no way. He was imprisoned, and the Reds had indicated with that red arrow: You are not leaving. He did not at all stop that.

Fair enough, the Jamaican international continued, he didn’t make a scene and let them get on with their activities. However, I am positive that he was prepared to leave.

What else is available to him at Liverpool? He completed it. It was a fantastic opportunity for him because he is a Muslim and everything about it cried out for him. The man had no legitimate reason to stay home. I know he’s got a contract, which he has fulfilled.

Do you understand what it simply means for him to win another Premier League championship?

He has obtained another. It doesn’t really improve anything else much. He has completed all of his tasks at Liverpool.

I find it absolutely absurd that they haven’t accepted it: a Muslim man moving to a Muslim country, £215 million going to Liverpool for a 31-year-old. What do you think Liverpool is playing for this year, is my question to you? Even if you were unable to find a replacement for the man, let’s write this season off.