Transfer Deadline Day: Liverpool ‘reject bid of more than £100m for Mohamed Salah
Liverpool have reportedly rejected a bid in excess of £100m plus add-ons for Mohamed Salah from Saudi Pro League Al Ittihad in the final moments of the transfer window.
The 31-year-old joined the Reds in the summer of 2017 from Roma, quickly establishing himself as one of the club’s greatest players during the Premier League era.
Salah has scored 187 goals in 308 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s men, helping them to win the Premier League and the Champions League over a six-year period at Anfield.
The attacker has started all three of his side’s league matches so far this term, grabbing an assist for Darwin Nunez in the 2-1 victory at Newcastle United on Sunday.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool have snubbed an offer for Salah from the Saudi Pro League, on behalf of Middle East giants Al Ittihad.
It is understood that the bid totalled in excess of £100m plus add-ons, with the Saudi side desperate to recruit one of football’s biggest stars to their fast-growing league.
The report claims that the offer was a verbal one delivered via phone call to Liverpool director Mike Gordon at some point on Thursday night.
It is believed that the Merseysiders turned down the proposal immediately, with Klopp and the club’s hierarchy keen to retain the Egyptian winger for the 2023-24 term.
Although the Reds are said to view the deal as completely off the cards, it is understood that Al Ittihad are expected to remain interested in the former Chelsea man.
Salah put pen to paper on a new three-year deal at Anfield last summer, meaning Liverpool are in a strong position to snub substantial offers for the player.
Earning a reported £350,000 per week, the 31-year-old is the highest-paid player in the club’s history, although a move to the Saudi Pro League would significantly increase the attacker’s salary.
Al Ittihad have already lured Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante to the club this summer, and the Saudi giants will be looking to win the league title under the stewardship of former Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Liverpool return to Anfield on Sunday afternoon, when they clash against Europa Conference League-bound Aston Villa in their fourth Premier League match of the term.
Salah is expected to be in the Reds’ starting XI for the test against Unai Emery’s Villans, with the Merseyside club reportedly giving no consideration to the big-money bid from Saudi Arabia for the winger.
