With only four days left in the transfer season, the big story at Liverpool is one potentially seismic exit rather than incomings.
By wooing Mohamed Salah away from Anfield, Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad is attempting to pull off what could be the country’s biggest coup yet. Liverpool has insisted that the Egyptian is not for sale, but CBS Sports reports that Al-Ittihad is ready to put that claim to the test with a massive nine-figure bid.
The possible bid will be worth a maximum of $162 million (£129 million/€150 million), making Salah the third-most expensive player in football history, behind Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.
However, it should be noted that only $108 million would be guaranteed under this plan, with the remaining $54 million subject to certain conditions.
It remains to be seen whether Salah makes a determined effort to go (which seems unlikely), but Liverpool would not let its talisman leave anyhow, especially considering the difficulty of replacing him at this time of the market.
On the field, the 31-year-old set up Darwin Nez’s stunning winning goal against Newcastle United on Sunday, making it three goals in three games to begin the new season. Here are two Liverpool.com stories you shouldn’t miss today.
Mohamed Salah’s most recent transfer
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, there is no indication that Mohamed Salah played his final game for Liverpool on Sunday. Salah is set to play against Aston Villa this weekend, with no medicals scheduled ‘anytime soon’.
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This comes after RiyadiaTV in Saudi Arabia reported that the attacker was preparing for his Liverpool goodbye ahead of the trip to St James’ Park. More information can be found here, courtesy of James Martin.
Liverpool has found the ideal Mohamed Salah replacement
Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund might be the ideal substitute for Mohamed Salah if Liverpool loses him.
According to the Italian publication Calciomercato, Adeyemi is on the shortlist of potential heirs, and upon closer study, he checks many of the most significant boxes.
While he’s played across the frontline, he’s left-footed and can cut in from the right like Salah, and he’s also proven to be a vicious finisher.
There are certain distinctions — Adeyemi is a dribbler and lacks the same creative threat at this stage — but one thing the guys have in common is incredible speed. Last season, the German broke the Bundesliga’s all-time top speed record, beating out Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies.