Jurgen Klopp acknowledges that Mohamed Salah WILL be transferred to Saudi Arabia after the bid deadline
Jurgen Klopp hopes Liverpool’s proprietors will reject a staggering £200 million offer for Mohamed Salah.
He is aware that the Fenway Sports Group considers the sale of a 31-year-old athlete for a world-record transfer fee, despite his status at Anfield, to be financially prudent.
The Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad’s opening proposal of £150 million was rejected by the Merseyside club, but there is growing optimism among the Middle Eastern hierarchy that a higher offer will be accepted.
This would leave Klopp frustrated, as he would have been unable to find a suitable replacement for his goal-scoring winger.
With the Saudi transfer window not closing until Thursday, but business having been completed in this country, Salah’s departure would severely hinder Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League.
Although the player has not protested the club’s stance, he has told close friends that he is being enticed by the promise of a £1.5m-a-week salary and the opportunity to become the poster child of his native Middle East.
Klopp desires Salah to remain for one more season and then move to super-rich Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2019. In the past few seasons, Klopp has been compelled to defer to FSG’s business arm on a number of occasions regarding acquisitions and departures.
Concerning him is the policy of bringing in younger players with potential resale value while releasing players who are 30 or older. This is why Salah remains susceptible to a last-ditch attempt by Al-Ittihad, who are flush with cash and won’t accept no for an answer.
Jamie Carragher, a legend of the Kop, advised his former club that it would be foolish not to consider the enormous offer, despite the danger of losing their star player. “When you consider how much Harry Kane was sold for, approximately £100 million, and the fact that he is a year or two younger but only had a year remaining on his Spurs contract, it is clear that he was overpriced.
“Salah has two years remaining, and he takes excellent care of himself. “For Liverpool to sell now, they will demand more than what he is worth,” he said on Friday night on Sky Sports.
“Without the Saudi market, he wouldn’t be worth £150 million, probably closer to £100 million.” But why did they wait so long? Why didn’t they do it six months ago, when they could have obtained him, if they wanted him so desperately and were willing to spend the money?
“It depends on Liverpool and Salah; he may not wish to leave. Even for supporters who adore him and don’t want him to leave, I believe there is a point where they cannot refuse £200 million if the price continues to rise.”
Jurgen Klopp acknowledges that Mohamed Salah WILL be transferred to Saudi Arabia after the bid deadline