Roma have long since realised they undercharged Liverpool for the Egyptian ace. Here, Goal looks back at other players who were sold on the cheap…
Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah was named PFA Player of the Year on Sunday, after a remarkable debut season at Anfield in which he has already racked up an incredible 41 goals in all competitions.
The Egyptian winger's sensational form has only made Roma's decision to sell him to the Reds last summer for €42 million look all the more ludicrous.
With that in mind, Goal has decided to look back at other clearly talented players who were sold on the cheap.
It is worth noting, though, that we've excluded all free transfers, as well as players who were unknowns at the time of their respective moves.
However, have we overlooked anybody? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below…
Getty ImagesDennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp was arguably the hottest prospect in world football when he joined Inter from Ajax in 1994.
However, the Dutch forward struggled to both score goals and come to terms with the demanding nature of the Italian press, resulting in one paper renaming their 'Donkey of the Week' award the 'Bergkamp of the Week'.
The Netherlands ace felt the Nerazzurri were to blame for his poor return, claiming, "They said: 'We're going to play more offensive.' And they did, but only for the first month!"
As a result, Bergkamp was only too happy to leave when Arsenal came calling in 1995.
Inter got £7.5 million for the striker but that proved scant consolation as Bergkamp became an icon in north London by rediscovering his goalscoring touch and, more importantly, wowing the English game with his wondrous ball control.
AdvertisementGettyFabio Cannavaro
Exactly why Inter felt compelled to swap Fabio Cannavaro for Juventus goalkeeper Fabian Carini in 2004 remains shrouded in mystery.
It has even been claimed that former Bianconeri director Luciano Moggi told Cannavaro to feign injury in order to persuade the Nerazzurri to cut their losses on the centre-half, who had disappointed in the two seasons that followed his €23m transfer from Parma.
However, that story doesn't really explain why Inter felt Carini, who had spent the previous two seasons on loan at Standard Leige, was worth €10m – the same amount as Cannavaro. It remains one of the most bizarre valuations in football history and former president Massimo Moratti has never lived it down.
Of course, Cannavaro, who has always insisted that Inter "wanted Carini at all costs", went on to prove himself the best centre-half in the world, winning the World Cup in 2006 before leaving for Real Madrid after Juve were relegated from Serie A for their involvement in Calciopoli.
As for Carini, the Uruguayan made just four appearances for Inter before being allowed to join Murcia in 2007.
Getty ImagesEric Cantona
It was the phone call which changed the entire course of English football history. On November 25, 1992, Leeds managing director Bill Fotherby rang Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards to enquire about signing Dennis Irwin.
The Irish full-back was not available at any price but, according to manager Alex Ferguson, he then prompted Edwards to ask about Leeds striker Eric Cantona.
It is worth noting that Edwards insists that signing the Frenchman was his idea but, whatever the truth, United could not believe their luck when Fotherby went away to consider the situation only to return an hour later to say that Cantona was for available for £1.5m, as Leeds boss Howard Wilkinson had grown weary of Cantona's arrogance and ill-discipline.
The Red Devils eventually haggled Leeds down to £1.2m and quickly wrapped up the most important deal in Premier League history, with Cantona going on to become a legend at Old Trafford, inspiring United to their first top-flight title in 25 years just six months after his arrival.
GettyRoberto Carlos
Roberto Carlos has long blamed one man and one man alone for Inter's ludicrous decision to sell him to Real Madrid in 1996 for just €6m.
“It's not that I did not have a good relationship with Roy Hodgson," the Brazilian said of the former Nerazzurri coach. "It is just that Hodgson doesn't know much about football."
The former England manager wanted Carlos to play as a winger but the thunder-thighed South American only felt comfortable at left-back, where he was first-choice for the Selecao.
"I spoke to [Inter president] Massimo Moratti to see if he could sort things out and it soon became clear that the only solution was to leave," he revealed.
So, Carlos joined Real Madrid, where he would spend the next 11 years proving himself one of the greatest left-backs of all time.