Al Ittihad preparing a record-breaking £200m bid to land Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, it has been claimed.
The Reds reportedly turned down a verbal bid worth £150 million from the Saudi Pro League side earlier today.
But Al Ittihad are plotting an improved bid of £200m, with the club having 'been encouraged by certain quarters that a deal is there to be done', according to Sky Sports.
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The Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle confirmed the news, tweeting: "Al-Ittihad now preparing a £200m bid for Mohamed Salah. Big test for #LFC as that is a lot of money. But if £200m, why not £300m? That would be a proper poser for the Reds."
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has been adamant that Salah is not for sale in this summer, though, while the player's agent took to Twitter recently to reiterate his client's commitment to the Reds.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Sunday, Klopp confirmed the club's stance: "The position remains the same, absolutely. That's how it is. Nothing else to say."
To complicate matters, the transfer window for Saudi clubs does not close until September 7, meaning Liverpool could lose Salah after they've had the chance to sign a replacement.
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The former Chelsea and Roma winger signed a new contract extension at Anfield last summer, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2025. But Al Ittihad's potential offer may be simply too goof to refuse, with the Middle Eastern club ready to make Salah one of the highest-paid players in world football, according to CBS Sports.
Indeed, Liverpool could use the funds to help launch a bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, with the Dutchman tipped to join Liverpool before the transfer deadline slams shut.
Topics: Mohamed Salah, Saudi Pro League, Liverpool, Transfers, Football
Joe Adams