Al-Ittihad may well have to accept defeat in the chase for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah this summer after Jurgen Klopp revealed the Anfield side’s stance on the deal.
There were reports from Saudi Arabia that the winger would be in Jeddah today.
However, contrary to speculation in Middle Eastern outlets and elsewhere, Egyptian international and Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah will not be in Saudi Arabia to complete a move to Al-Ittihad, according to Foot Mercato.
Salah will be involved and playing on Sunday in the Premier League against Aston Villa.
Crucially, the French outlet doesn’t rule out if the Saudi side will continue to push for the Egyptian winger beyond the deadline for European clubs which is tonight at 11 pm BST.
The transfer window for the Saudi side will close on the 20th of September and they will surely try again to convince the English side of a move.
Klopp’s comments on Salah move
Jurgen Klopp, speaking at his pre-match press conference, has given his thoughts on Salah and has reaffirmed that the 31-year-old’s future will be at Anfield.
“The position remains the same. Absolutely no doubt about that,” Klopp said, according to Fabrizio Romano. “(There is) Nothing else to say. No offer as far as I know”
Despite the German’s statement to the contrary, Al-Ittihad have not been put off by Liverpool’s current total refusal to negotiate a possible departure of their star man and intend to continue to make efforts to sign the player.
The Egyptian forward would be a superb signing for the Saudi side, managed by Nuno Espirito Santo.
However, it seems that the Anfield side are refusing to engage in any conversations for the former Chelsea winger.
This is despite the Saudi side willing to offer £150 million for the forward according to Sky Sports.