Former Sky Sports pundit Richard Keys has claimed that Al-Ittihad will sign Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah next week.
The beIN Sports man had insisted for a couple of days that sources close to the deal are confident of getting the Egyptian international to move to the Saudi Pro League club this summer.
Liverpool have already knocked back a £150 million bid from the Saudi side for Salah today and are not interested in selling him.
I’m always happy to open for apologies. Those that abused me as usual – message now. Mighty @beINSPORTS_EN were spot on when I said Salah might be playing his last game at Newcastle. It’ll be v Villa now. The deal will get done next week. There’s no need to rush it though today.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) September 1, 2023
The European summer transfer window ends today, but the Saudis are still able to do business for a couple of days this month and are planning to return with an improved offer for the 31-year-old.
They are offering Salah wages of around £1.5m-per-week, and it could be hard for him to turn down.
However, Liverpool are unlikely to sell the former AS Roma star, and Al-Ittihad may have to wait until next summer.
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan believes around £175m could force the Reds into selling the North African, and the Saudis would not hesitate to raise their bid if they know getting Salah is feasible.
“I suspect Liverpool will do that deal!” 👀
“This is a structured deal that’s been conspired, and they’re going to do it.” 🇪🇬
✍️ Simon Jordan expects #LFC to take the money for Salah, if the Saudis go to £175m. pic.twitter.com/7lIVHHeVdL
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 1, 2023
They want him available for their Club World Cup campaign in December, and Salah being the most popular Arab sportsman makes him an ideal signing for the Saudi Pro League.
Manager Jurgen Klopp cannot afford to lose such a player right now or after the deadline tonight as getting a replacement would not be easy.
He is still one of the best players on the planet despite his age, and he has not shown signs that he has plans of slowing down anytime soon.
It remains to be seen whether the reigning Saudi Pro League champions indeed have plans to return with another bid, but this saga is not ending tonight from the look of things.
