Liverpool brace for ‘massive’ £171m deadline day bid as transfer expert reveals Salah stance

Al-Ittihad are preparing an offer worth as much as €200m (£171m) for Liverpool forward Mo Salah before the transfer deadline, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The Reds have already been stung by interest from Saudi Arabian sides in their players with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both leaving unexpectedly.

Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate have also been linked with moves to the Middle East, while Salah has emerged as Saudi’s most ambitious transfer attempt.

There have been rumours over the last week or so that they will make a bid before the transfer deadline in England but there is yet to be a formal offer received by Liverpool.

The Daily Mail‘s Craig Hope said yesterday that his contacts in Saudi Arabia have told him that Al-Ittihad are “sure” Salah will join them.

Speaking on a transfer live stream, Hope said: “I spent a little bit of time out in Riyadh in December and made a few contacts around the Saudi Pro League.

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“I got a text through about five or 10 minutes ago from one of those contacts saying parties close to Al-Ittihad are sure Salah is going to come, which I thought was quite strong.”

Former CBS Sports reporter Jacobs has now claimed that “a €150m initial package could even be improved to €200m” before the transfer deadline but that Liverpool have not altered their stance.

Jacobs wrote on Twitter: “Liverpool’s not-for-sale stance on Mo Salah hasn’t changed. No formal offer has been placed yet either. But Saudi dealmakers do still plan to table a massive bid. Sources indicate a €150m initial package could even be improved to €200m to test Liverpool’s resolve.”

Liverpool reporter Neil Jones has brought an update on a number of possible outgoings at Anfield as the transfer deadline approaches.

Jones wrote in his Caught Offside column: “There will be some departures at Anfield before the window closes, but the aim for Jurgen Klopp is to keep his main squad together. The club have insisted that they will resist any offers for Mohamed Salah – none have arrived yet – and have played down talk of exits for Joe Gomez and Thiago Alcantara.

“Nat Phillips is one who will be allowed to leave, and the Bundesliga is a serious option for him. At 26, he needs a move and I expect him to get one this week, finally.

“In terms of loans, Tyler Morton is wanted by Hull City, Luke Chambers has interest from a number of clubs and a decision will be made on young talent Bobby Clark, who will get a new contract and could then move to the Championship.

“A few other U21 players could also get fixed up with temporary moves, though I expect both Ben Doak and Jarell Quansah, who have featured in the Premier League this season, to stay.”