The Saudi Pro League’s Determination to Secure Mohamed Salah, Jurgen Klopp’s Race Against Time, and Liverpool’s Stance on Keeping Their Star Player
Liverpool has turned down a £150 million offer for Mohamed Salah from Al Ittihad, but the Saudi Pro League team remains determined and may consider an enhanced proposal. Despite an initial bid of £100 million, which could have risen to £150 million, being rebuffed earlier on Transfer Deadline Day, Al Ittihad has not ruled out revisiting the negotiations.
According to a report from one source, there is information suggesting that Al Ittihad is willing to raise their offer to £200 million for Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool, however, continues to assert their unwavering stance that Salah is not available for sale. Sky Sports News has learned that the Saudi club is receiving positive signals from certain sources that a potential deal could still be achievable. As long as Al Ittihad believes they have this encouragement, they are determined to make another attempt.
Jurgen Klopp addressed the possibility of Salah leaving on Friday, reiterating Liverpool’s steadfast position by stating, “The position remains the same, absolutely. No doubt about that. We cannot [sell Salah]. That’s how it is. Nothing else to say.”
While the Premier League’s transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Friday night, Saudi Pro League clubs have a more extended window, allowing them to conduct signings for nearly another week. Their transfer window doesn’t close until September 7th, providing additional time for potential moves and negotiations.
Al Ittihad is reportedly prepared to offer Mohamed Salah an astonishing £1.5 million per week in wages, a move seemingly designed to test Salah’s commitment to Liverpool. This offer comes despite Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, ruling out a transfer earlier this month.
Both the club and the Saudi Pro League are well aware of Liverpool’s unwavering stance that they will not entertain offers for the Egyptian forward.
Mohamed Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, had previously dismissed rumors of a move to Saudi Arabia but has not commented on the latest links with Al-Ittihad. On August 7, Issa stated in a social media post, “Mohamed remains committed to Liverpool. If we considered leaving Liverpool this year, we wouldn’t have renewed the contract last summer.”
Salah has been a consistent starter in all three of Liverpool’s games this season, contributing to their seven points, which include a draw with Chelsea and victories against Bournemouth and Newcastle United. He provided an assist for Luis Diaz’s goal against Chelsea but displayed frustration when substituted during the draw. He also netted the rebound from his saved penalty in the match against Bournemouth and provided the crucial assist for Darwin Nunez’s winning goal against Newcastle, even with Liverpool playing most of the match with 10 men.
Salah is a key player for Liverpool, boasting an impressive record of 187 goals and 76 assists in 308 games for the club. During his tenure at Anfield, he has won several major titles, including the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Fifa Club World Cup, and Uefa Super Cup. He has also claimed the Premier League Golden Boot three times and been named the PFA Player of the Year twice.
Liverpool has already experienced departures to Saudi Pro League clubs this summer, with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson joining Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq, respectively. Roberto Firmino also left Liverpool on a free transfer, joining Al-Ahli.
This approach for Salah coincides with a summer in which Middle Eastern clubs have made significant signings, including Karim Benzema and Neymar, while Al-Hilal made a world-record £259 million bid for Kylian Mbappe.
