- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
The Saudi Pro League remain determined to lure Mo Salah away from Premier league giants Liverpool this summer with the Egypt international now their leading target following Paul Pogba’s four-year ban.
HITC understands that the winger, who was the subject of a £150 million bid from Al-Ittihad last summer, is likely to have offers from the Middle East once again when the current campaign comes to an end.
Speculation over Mohamed Salah‘s future went into overdrive last weekend, the long-serving Liverpool talisman rowing with Jurgen Klopp on the touchline after starting on the bench for Saturday’s must-win clash with West Ham United.
“There’s gonna be a fire today if I speak,” was his rather intriguing response when asked by reporters to sum up just what had happened between him and his manager, albeit a situation which HITC understands has been played down within the club.
Mo Salah’s Liverpool future uncertain
Salah’s form – usually so consistent – has been a source of much concern for Liverpool fans since his return from the African Cup of Nations. Despite scoring 24 goals and setting up another 13 in all competitions, the former Chelsea, Roma and Fiorentina man is not quite the same irrepressible force of old.
He has now started two of the last three league games outside of Klopp’s XI, and was taken off around the hour mark against Atalanta and Sheffield United when Liverpool still needed a goal.
HITC have been informed that the events at the London Stadium have underlined to Salah’s camp that his future may be best served away from Liverpool, even if Klopp’s imminent departure opens up the possibility of a fresh start under a new boss. Feyenoord chief Arne Slot is expected to get the gig.
The ambitious, big-spending Saudi Pro League remain determined to lure players they consider to be ‘world-class’, and Salah certainly ticks that box even with his 32nd birthday approaching. We understand that the league’s chiefs are prioritising the world’s greatest Muslim footballers, with Salah and Paul Pogba identified to follow in the footsteps of Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane.
Saudi Arabian interest remains in Anfield icon
Pogba appears to be a no-go now, however. Juventus’ former Manchester United midfielder was hit with a four-year doping ban recently (BBC Sport).
As such, Salah is the priority. It remains to be seen if Liverpool will receive an offer as staggering as the one put forward by Al-Ittihad last summer, but cashing in on Salah could certainly free up funds for a rebuild like when their midfield overhaul was partly financed by the sales of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad respectively.
HITC have been told that, despite claims made this week that Liverpool are looking to retain their ‘Egyptian King’, the club have put the situation firmly in the hands of Salah himself. If he wants to make that move to the Middle East, he will have to make it push the issue himself with his current employers.
Liverpool have been linked with a number of potential replacements, including Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, PSV Eindhoven speedster Johan Bakayoko, and Nico Williams of Athletic Club.
The post Exclusive: Liverpool tell Mo Salah what he must do to leave as Saudi interest remains appeared first on HITC.
from HITC https://ift.tt/fDCUiHB
No comments: