Salah, 31, will become one of the best-paid players in Saudi Arabia if he completes a move to Al-Ittihad in the coming days. The Saudi Pro League has already attracted the likes of Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema, Neymar, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho this summer.
Soccerhuz.com understands that Liverpool are determined to keep hold of Salah, despite reports of a €100million (£85.8m) offer from Al-Ittihad. Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas Issa also confirmed his client is committed to Jurgen Klopp’s side earlier this month.
Yet new rumours have emerged since the agent’s statement. It’s suggested that Salah is now considering a move to Al-Ittihad and a decision will be made by Monday on whether he leaves Merseyside. This transfer saga is not expected to rumble on.
That’s according to Sport Italia, with further speculation growing in the Middle East. As Egypt’s captain, Salah would immediately become one of the most popular players in Saudi Arabia if he says goodbye to Merseyside for Jeddah.
Saudi broadcaster KSA Sports TV has even claimed that Salah’s final game for Liverpool will be Sunday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle at St James’ Park. There’s a belief that he will travel to Dubai after the game to complete a medical.
Saudi Arabia’s transfer window doesn’t close until September 20, but it’s unlikely that a move will happen after the Premier League’s deadline on Friday. The big question is whether Liverpool can hold their nerve and persuade Salah to stay.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Friday, Klopp insisted that Salah is “100 per cent committed” to his team. The Liverpool boss said: “There’s a lot going on around us but that’s it. There’s speculation and I think that’s completely normal at this moment in time.”
Klopp admitted that it would be a “catastrophe” if Salah left Liverpool after Friday, when the Premier League’s window shuts. That is why all parties want this matter resolved immediately, as it gives the Reds a few days to find a replacement if Salah leaves.
Losing Salah would be a huge blow to Liverpool’s campaign. The experienced forward has scored 187 goals in 307 games since arriving from Roma in the summer of 2017 and won seven trophies – including the Premier League title and Champions League.
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, who is currently coaching in Saudi Arabia, has revealed Salah’s popularity in his Mirror Football column. “Here in Saudi Arabia, I can tell you the Mo Salah story is generating even more headlines than back in the UK,” he wrote.
Fowler added: “Egypt borders Saudi Arabia, of course, and the border across the Red Sea is not too far from Jeddah where Al-Ittihad is based. Just from my own observations, I can tell you Mo is the biggest star in this entire region.”
