Al-Ittihad are reportedly ready to test Liverpool’s resolve with a €150 million (£129m/$162m) bid for Mohamed Salah before the summer window closes.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Egypt international forward is tied to a contract at Anfield through to 2025 and has expressed no desire in public to walk away from that deal. There have, however, been reports of his head being turned by interest from Saudi Arabia.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
According to CBS Sports, Al-Ittihad – who already have Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema on their books – are preparing a big-money bid for Salah. They will also put a contract proposal to the 31-year-old that would bring him in line with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar in the salary stakes.
AND WHAT’S MORE
Such a deal would smash the Saudi transfer record, with the bid worth £86m ($108m) in guaranteed payments and £43m ($54m) in performance-related bonuses. Liverpool have no intention of sanctioning a sale, but their hand may be forced if Salah decides that he does want to enter into talks.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Al-Ittihad are looking to bring more marquee additions onto their books ahead of the 2023 FIFA World Club Cup – which will be staged in Saudi Arabia this December – with there also reports of them mulling over a move for former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain defender Sergio Ramos, who remains a free agent at 37 years of age.
