Paul Merson firmly believes that Liverpool is still at risk of losing Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League this month, even after the club turned down a £150m offer from Al Ittihad. Interest from the Middle East has been surrounding the Egyptian international for a while, with a verbal offer being submitted last Friday.
However, the club have rejected it out of hand and consider the matter closed as the forward is not for sale.
The offer is understood to have been £100m up front with a further £50m in add-ons.
Merson informed us that he believes the individual in question is among the finest players globally. He recognizes that it is a challenging decision to make. If they were to sell the player for £150m, the question then arises of who they could replace him with. Merson suggests that it is unlikely they would find someone superior to Salah. However, when considering the possibility of winning the league this season, he does not believe it to be achievable. Hence, he suggests the alternative of accepting the money and embarking on a rebuilding process.
With one more week remaining in their transfer window, it is possible that they may offer £200m, which could be concerning.
Personally, I believe that £200m would be an offer too good to refuse. It is difficult to pass up such a substantial amount for a player who is 31 years old. It would be impossible to resist such an offer.
If Salah were to leave, it would be a significant blow to Liverpool's aspirations of finishing in the top-four. However, considering the amount of money being offered to him elsewhere, it is understandable that his focus might be swayed. This situation puts Jurgen Klopp in a difficult position as well. In my opinion, it is highly likely that Liverpool will invest an additional £50m in securing a replacement. Given the circumstances, it might be worth considering selling Salah and capitalizing on the opportunity. After all, I don't believe Liverpool can win the Premier League title with him.
Liverpool are determined to resist any attempts to lure away their 31-year-old player, who has scored 138 goals in 221 appearances in six seasons. He has also won the Premier League Golden Boot three times during this time. Sources insist that a sale is completely off the table, and even if they were considering it, Liverpool would not have enough time to find a replacement of Salah's caliber.
Merson stated that ensuring Klopp's satisfaction is crucial as he holds the managerial position at the club. It is reasonable to assume that Klopp desires Salah to remain with the team, and if Salah were to depart, it would likely be due to decisions made by higher-level management. Consequently, this could leave Klopp feeling discouraged. Furthermore, Merson questioned the practicality of investing £200m in new players when the transfer window is nearing its closure. He expressed skepticism about Liverpool's ability to secure a Premier League victory, regardless of Salah's presence on the team. As an alternative, Merson proposed the idea of utilizing the £200m in funds to develop a four-year strategy.
"Will he still remain present on September 7th? I highly doubt it. Neil Diamond: Money Talks.
"Mo Salah will certainly be displeased. I experienced something similar many years ago. I made a move to Middlesbrough solely for the astronomical financial gain. Reflecting on it now, I wouldn't make the same decision again. However, the amount of money involved in this situation is truly staggering. Not only will he never have to work again, but his grandchildren will be financially secure for their entire lives."
"If he does go, Liverpool have to rip up the book and start all over again. I feel for Liverpool, I feel for Klopp."
Klopp: We cannot sell Salah
When asked about the possibility of Salah departing, manager Jurgen Klopp asserted that there is absolutely no change in the situation. Selling Salah is out of the question. There is nothing more to discuss on the matter.
Furthermore, apart from being regarded as one of the best players globally, Salah continues to be immensely coveted by Saudi Arabia due to his status as the most prominent Arabic player.
The transfer window of the Pro League does not end until next Thursday, which could potentially create a problem for Liverpool. This is because Al-Ittihad is one of the four clubs that receive financial support from the country's Public Investment Fund, granting them greater financial resources compared to other clubs. Klopp, in particular, is discontented with the difference in deadlines.
"I am unsure about the stability and duration of the Saudi Pro League, but I believe the upcoming two weeks will reveal the extent of its challenges. Irrespective of the outcomes, it is evident that nobody in Europe can respond." Klopp further commented, "It is crucial for UEFA or any relevant authority to closely monitor this situation and find a solution. We all need to safeguard the integrity of the game, and that's what we aim for."
We must ensure that these European leagues remain as strong as they currently are. To accomplish this, we rely on assistance from organizations like UEFA to implement necessary changes to rules or laws in order to make progress.
We are still somewhat surprised by the level of activity from Saudi Arabia, but it has undoubtedly enhanced the league with the arrival of numerous players. Currently, the situation is uncertain and it is difficult to predict the eventual outcome. However, it does seem more like a threat and a cause for concern, rather than something we can easily disregard in light of the circumstances.
However, what options do we have? We can refuse, but there lies the contrast between the contracts here and those overseas. Specifically, in Saudi Arabia, their scale is immense, which undoubtedly leads to complications, without a doubt, completely.
'Saudis want Salah as most famous Arab footballer'
We News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
The Saudi Pro League considers Mo Salah to be the most renowned Arab footballer on a global scale, and his presence in their league would be a significant achievement for them.
Salah is among the players the Saudi Pro League has identified as potential summer signings. While they have successfully acquired other notable players from their wishlist, such as Karim Benzema and Neymar, they have yet to secure Salah's services.
They are interested in acquiring his signature and have included his name on the list. If successful, they would prefer him to join Al Ittihad, the reigning champions. There is a chance that they may make a move for him before the Saudi window closes on September 7.
This transfer process deviates from the conventional method. Their approach involves a centrally-controlled operation, overseen by various entities such as the Saudi Pro League, the Ministry of Sport, the Sovereign Wealth Fund, and Al Ittihad.
Salah has never expressed his desire to leave. The only statement we have is from his agent confirming his renewal of contract with Liverpool last summer, indicating his commitment to the club.
However, I can envision Salah playing in Saudi Arabia someday. Though not necessarily in the upcoming window or the following year, the Saudi club is highly determined to acquire Salah, backed by immense financial resources.
He would receive one of the highest salaries worldwide, earning no less than £1.5m per week. Moreover, they would be willing to invest over £100m to secure his signature, an impressive sum considering his age of 31. To put it in context, they had previously spent approximately £80-90m to acquire Neymar, who is also 31 years old.
Saudi media outlets are expressing strong belief that he will join Al Ittihad and undergo a medical examination within the next 48 hours. Furthermore, it has been conveyed to us that they intend to increase their offer, possibly reaching £175m or even £200m. However, the most reliable sources indicate that Al Ittihad does not anticipate securing his services in the immediate future. They remain optimistic but acknowledge the likelihood of eventually acquiring him.
"They are currently deliberating whether they should make a move to reacquire him during this period.
"Moreover, it is crucial to note that this decision is not solely in the hands of Al Ittihad. It involves key figures such as the chairman and director of football at the Saudi Pro League, the Saudi minister of sport, and the Sovereign Wealth Fund."
Follow Deadline Day with Sky Sports
Which players will be making their move on the final day of the transfer window, scheduled to close at 11pm in England and midnight in Scotland?Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on We' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on We News.