EPL: Klopp reacts to claim of Salah being ‘pursued’ by Al-Ittihad

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shut down speculation of Mohamed Salah moving to Saudi Arabia, to join Al-Ittihad.

Some British news platforms reported on Thursday, August 24, that Al-Ittihad wants to buy the 31-year-old Egyptian footballer who has two years left on his deal at Liverpool.

It was reported that Al-Ittihad are ‘desperate to land Salah and will push until the end of the transfer window’ as he is ‘seen as a more valuable asset to the country than any of the signings so far because of his massive influence and being a superstar in the Middle East Arabic countries and Gulf peninsula’.

It was further alleged that a deal ‘has been agreed’ between Salah and Al-Ittihad for £191m a season over three years, meaning he would earn £573m in that time. Some publications claimed that the offer was made because the Saudi Arabians ‘want him to replace Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema as the face of the Saudi Pro League’.

Reacting to claim of Al-Ittihad desperately wanting to land Salah, Klopp said on Friday, August 25;

“There’s nothing there. If there was something the answer would be no (he’s not for sale). I think about a problem when I have it but there is absolutely nothing at the moment. If there’s something coming I don’t know, then I’d have to think about it. But if something comes, it would be no. Mo is 100% committed to Liverpool Football Club.”

Liverpool have already been stung this summer with the unexpected departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson this summer. The Reds are still looking for another midfielder after signing Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo in the current transfer window.

This is not the first time this summer that Salah has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia. He is due back in action for Liverpool on Sunday, August 27, against Newcastle in the Premier League.