Liverpool are braced to receive what could amount to a world-record bid from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad as they look to ward off late interest in the Egyptian.
Salah has been on the list of targets for Saudi Arabia’s spending spree all summer, but has so far resisted a move, though teammates Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have both headed to the middle east.
The Reds rejected a £150m bid from Al-Ittihad for Salah on England’s transfer deadline day, but the Telegraph now report that ‘they are ready for a final bid this summer of £200 million for the Egypt forward’.
However, it is added that ‘there has been no appetite on Liverpool’s side to engage in what would be a world-record deal’ and that ‘sources close to Al-Ittihad believe it is too late to get a deal done before the 10pm deadline.’
Should Salah depart, Liverpool would be unable to replace him, with the English transfer window having slammed shut on Friday September 1st despite still being able to confirm outgoings.
As it stands, Ben Doak is the only recognised option on the right hand side should Salah depart, but he was only handed his Premier League debut in the opener against Chelsea and would hardly fit the bill required for a team looking to challenge for the title again.
“I’ve never had, and I don’t have now, doubts about his future, his commitment to this club,” said the Liverpool manager. “Believe me, you can’t imagine how much fuss the whole world makes and how calm we are with it. He’s our player, he wants to play here and that’s it.”
Should a move not materialise for the Egyptian forward, it is likely that they will return for him in 12 months time, when Salah will have just 12 months left on his Liverpool contract and the Reds will have more time to replace him.
