Saudi Arabia’s billion-dollar transfer market assault on football’s established order has escalated, with Al Ittihad making a stunning move for Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah.
This off-season, Al Ittihad, one of four teams owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has already recruited Liverpool’s Fabinho for £40 million, as well as French talents Karim Benzema (the reigning Ballon d’Or winner for the world’s finest player) and N’Golo Kante.
However, 31-year-old Egyptian Salah has been identified as their priority target, despite a move being rejected by both Liverpool and Salah earlier in the transfer window.
Salah’s agent, Ramy Abbas, wrote on social media earlier this month, “If we had planned to leave LFC this year, we would not have renewed the contract last summer.” Mohamed has remained loyal to LFC.”
Salah is the highest-paid player in Liverpool history, with an estimated weekly salary of roughly £350,000. He has two seasons left on his contract (including this year).
However, the potential of a massive pay raise appears to have enticed the athlete.
Salah had “no intention to enter into any negotiations” earlier this month, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, but Al Ittihad dramatically improved their offer this week.
He went on to say, “To raise their bid to the player… the financial package proposed by Al Ittihad to Mo Salah is now way bigger, almost double the offer from the beginning of August.”
“From what I’m hearing, there’s been direct contact from Salah’s side to Liverpool to discuss that,” he said, adding that the club’s response was categorical – Salah would not be allowed to leave.
The Athletic claimed on Thursday that Liverpool told Al-Ittihad that Salah is “not for sale,” and Sky Sports stated that the Reds would not sell no matter how much money was given.
According to several sources, the revised pay offer is worth roughly £65 million ($A127.6 million) per year over three seasons, without including bonuses or sponsorships, which could push his earnings above even Cristiano Ronaldo. According to other accounts, the figure is significantly higher.
The fact that the Premier League’s transfer window ends on the 1st of September, but the Saudi Pro League’s transfer market remains open until the 20th, complicates matters for Liverpool and other English clubs. This means that Premier League clubs could lose players and have no chance to replace them.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lamented this fact earlier this month.
“The influence of Saudi Arabia is massive at the moment,” Klopp stated.
“The worst part is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open for three weeks longer.” If I’m correct and I heard something like that, it’s not helpful, at least in Europe.
“UEFA or FIFA must find a solution.” It has already had an impact on us, but we must learn to live with it.”