The Premier League’s transfer window has closed, but Liverpool’s business is still ongoing, with Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad trying to sign Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool has quite a positive start to the new Premier League campaign, picking up 10 points from their first four games. After being held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea on the opening day of the season, they’ve beaten Bournemouth 3-1, Newcastle 2-1 and Aston Villa 3-0. That is an impressive start, as many critics thought they would struggle against Chelsea, Newcastle, and Aston Villa. Although Jurgen Klopp’s side are enjoying plenty of success on the pitch, there’s a bit of talk off it. Mohamed Salah is wanted by Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad. Al-Ittihad is expected to launch a new £ 215 million offer for Salah before the Saudi Pro League’s transfer window closes on Thursday. Such a bid would be extremely difficult for Liverpool to turn down, although Klopp wants the Egyptian, 31, to stay.
“I never had any doubt about his commitment to this club,” said Klopp after Liverpool’s win against Villa. “You can’t imagine how much fuss the world has made but how calm we are with it. He is our player and wants to play here.” Al-Ittihad are willing to make Salah the best-paid footballer on the planet, such is their desire to sign him. Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has admitted there is “no concern” among the squad about losing their talisman over the next few days.
But why are Al-Ittihad so keen on Salah? And how did Klopp make one of their stars feel unwanted? Here are more details about the transfer saga gripping the football world.
Salah’s Saudi connection
Salah is not only a superstar in Egypt but also in Saudi Arabia. He has a huge fan base in the country, where he is seen as a role model and an inspiration for young footballers. He has also been involved in several charitable and humanitarian projects in Saudi Arabia, such as donating money to hospitals and schools. He has also visited the country several times, most recently in January 2020 when he attended the Spanish Super Cup final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Jeddah.
Salah’s popularity in Saudi Arabia has caught the attention of Al-Ittihad, one of the region’s most successful and richest clubs. They have won eight league titles and three Asian Champions League trophies. They are also backed by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, who is the chairman of the General Sports Authority and a member of the royal family. Al-Ittihad has been looking for a marquee signing to boost their profile and challenge their rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, who have signed players like Sebastian Giovinco, Bafetimbi Gomis, and Nordin Amrabat.
Al-Ittihad previous bid for Salah
Al-Ittihad made their first move for Salah in August when they offered Liverpool £150million for his services. However, Liverpool rejected the offer and insisted that Salah was not for sale at any price. Al-Ittihad did not give up and increased their bid to £200million in September, but Liverpool again turned them down. Al-Ittihad is preparing a final offer of £ 215 million, making Salah the 2nd most expensive player in history, just behind Neymar’s £222million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Will Salah leave Liverpool?
Salah has not publicly commented on Al-Ittihad’s interest but has not ruled out a move away from Liverpool either. He has said that he loves Liverpool and the fans, but he has also hinted that he is open to new challenges and experiences. He has also expressed his admiration for Real Madrid and Barcelona, who have been linked with him in the past.
Salah’s contract with Liverpool runs until 2024/25, but he has not signed an extension yet. He is reportedly asking for a salary of £ 350,000 per week, making him the highest-paid player in the Premier League. Liverpool is reluctant to meet his demands, especially after the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are also aware that Salah will turn 32 next year and that his value will start to decline.
Liverpool are facing a dilemma over Salah’s future. They know that he is one of their best players and that he has been instrumental in their recent success. He has scored 188 goals in 309 matches for the Reds, helping them win the Champions League, the Premier League, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. He has also won two Golden Boots and was named the PFA Player of the Year in 2018.
Get the inside scoop on Mohamed Salah’s uncertain future as Al-Ittihad offers a jaw-dropping £215 million.
However, they also know that £ 215 million is a lot of money and that they could use it to strengthen other areas of their squad. They have already shown that they are not afraid to sell their star players, as they did with Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez, and Raheem Sterling in the past.
The final decision will ultimately depend on Salah himself. He will have to weigh his options and decide what is best for his career and happiness. He will have to consider whether he wants to stay at Liverpool and continue his legacy or whether he wants to join Al-Ittihad and make history. He will have to choose between loyalty and money, between familiarity and adventure, between England and Saudi Arabia. Whatever he decides, it will be one of the year’s biggest stories.
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