Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad could test the resolve of Liverpool with a huge £200 million transfer bid for Mo Salah.
The Reds have already rejected one offer from the Middle East outfit, reported to be worth up to £150m.
Al-Ittihad are keen to sign Salah, but Liverpool insist that the Egyptian winger is not for sale.
That is not the end of the story on Transfer Deadline Day, however. Sky Sports are reporting that the Tigers are ‘prepared to go to £200m’ in their pursuit of Salah.
It would only be the second time a player has moved for £200m in the history of the game, following Neymar’s £200m (€220m) move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Former Arsenal player Paul Merson believes such an offer would be too much for Liverpool to resist. “I don’t think you can [reject it] for a 31-year-old,” he told Sky Sports.
“If they don’t win the league this year, he’s 32 next year and it soon starts going quickly. 32, 33 – before then the goals start drifting and cutting away. It’s going to be a hard one, but £200m would be irresistible.”
The Saudi Pro League transfer deadline runs until September 7, meaning Salah could conceivably leave Liverpool after Friday.
It is thought that Liverpool will not sanction a move as they do not have enough time to sign a replacement before the window closes.
Salah has been crucial to the club’s success since joining from Roma in 2017, winning the Premier League, Uefa Champions League and both domestic cups. Last season he scored 30 goals in all competitions and has been the club’s leading scorer for six consecutive seasons.
