Transfer: Liverpool vow not to entertain any approach for Salah’s move
Liverpool will rebuff any bids for Egyptian attacker Mohamed Salah in the January transfer window, according to a report.
The former Chelsea and Roma man was the subject of concrete interest from Al-Ittihad over the summer, which culminated in the Saudi Pro League champions making a £150m bid.
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The Reds did not hesitate before turning down Al-Ittihad’s approach, which came after the English transfer window had closed, but clubs in Saudi Arabia were still able to sign players for a few days after.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were tipped to return with a world-record £200m offer, but the window slammed shut with Salah still on the books at Anfield, where he has continued to shine for the Merseyside giants this term.
Jurgen Klopp cut an unconcerned figure throughout the summer transfer saga, while Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas Issa has also affirmed on numerous occasions that his client has no desire to exit the Reds anytime soon.
The 31-year-old’s contract with Liverpool does not expire until the summer of 2025, but clubs in Saudi Arabia are expected to reignite their interest in 2024, potentially as early as January.
However, Football Insider claims that Liverpool will not entertain any offers for the Egypt international midway through the season and will inform interested parties that he is untouchable.
Despite retaining Salah’s services for the 2023-24 season, Klopp is still alleged to be concerned about the prospect of losing the winger to Saudi Arabia next summer, as Middle Eastern chiefs will push hard to bring him to the Saudi Pro League.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane have been lured to Saudi Arabia in recent months, as have Salah’s former teammates Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum.
The ex-Chelsea attacker could become the world’s highest-paid player should he accept a lucrative proposal from Al-Ittihad, while Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr would also possess the necessary financial power due to their Public Investment Fund backing.
Another blistering start to the campaign has seen Salah come up with 10 goals and four assists from 13 games in a Liverpool shirt this term, including eight strikes in the Premier League.
Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (11) has come up with more goals in the English top flight this term, and Salah has either scored or assisted in all but one of his 10 games in the 2023-24 Premier League so far.
The 31-year-old netted Liverpool’s third goal in their 3-0 beating of Nottingham Forest on Sunday, which saw him directly contribute to a goal for the 14th Premier League home game running.
By tapping home into an empty net after Matt Turner ventured into no man’s land, Salah took his tally for Liverpool to 196 goals in 318 games, in addition to 83 assists.