Mohamed Salah will reportedly be rested by Egypt as the Liverpool star weighs up a move to Al-Ittihad.
Liverpool rejected an offer of £150m but that hasn’t deterred the Saudi Pro league club who will carry on pushing for Salah until their window closes on September 7.
The European transfer window might be closed, but Liverpool have four days to fight off the advances of Sauri Arabi, with Al-Ittihad prepared to go up to £200m.
Salah has been called up to Egypt for their upcoming games with Ethiopia and Tunisia, though the Sun have reported that his national side have also decided to give him a rest amid his transfer saga.
He had been due to join his international team-mates on Monday after Liverpool’s clash with Aston Villa today, but the Egyptian FA are said to have given him permission to stay in the UK and be available for any talks on his future.
It means he would miss the African Cup of Nations qualifier dead rubber against Ethiopia on Friday, but he would travel to meet the squad for their friendly against Tunisia on September 12.
A statement from the Egyptian Football Association reportedly said: ‘The coach decided not to depend on Salah in the Ethiopia game, especially as the team has already ensured qualification for the African Cup of Nations finals. Salah will play the Tunisia game normally.’
Talks have been ongoing for months but have intensified in recent days with Saudi pro League hierarchy basing themselves in Cannes in the south of France to conduct negotiations.
Liverpool director Mike Gordon rejected proposals on Thursday night and they have since re-iterated the 31-year-old is not for sale and consider the case closed.
Salah, who scored 30 goals in all competitions for Liverpool last season, is part of the club’s leadership group and signed a new three-year contract last summer, which made him the highest-paid player in Liverpool history.
Klopp has admitted concern about the wages on offer for players and the Saudi window being open longer so that they can carry on distracting players with what is on offer.
Liverpool are only too aware there may come a point when economics begin to dominate over the immediate sporting project for Salah.
Salah’s status as the biggest Arab athlete in the world is fuelling Saudi Arabia’s pursuit.
Liverpool have already seen a number of players leave for Saudi Arabia with Jordan Henderson giving up the club captaincy to join Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq, while Fabinho and Roberto Firmino also secured exits.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and centre back Ibrahima Konate were also the subject of interest but wanted to continue at the Premier League giants.
