Saudi Arabia, with its abundance of financial resources, has continued to acquire prominent players from European countries during this summer’s transfer window. Liverpool is also under threat, with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho deciding to move to the Middle Eastern club.
Thiago Alcantara, Alisson Becker, Joe Gomez, and others have received interest from Saudi Arabia, but it is Egyptian international Mohamed Salah who is at the center of the conversation.
The player, who is also extremely popular there, is reportedly preparing a huge offer of around £120 million from Al Ittihad.
The departure of the player has been hectic, with various journalists and media outlets giving various updates on a daily basis.
However, Liverpool has stated that Egyptian King is not for sale and their stance has never changed. Speaking at the press conference leading up to the Aston Villa game, Jurgen Klopp once again denied any possibility of a sale.
“The position remains the same, absolutely, no doubt about that. Nothing else to say. No offer that I know of.”
But Liverpool and other European clubs are still under threat. The Saudi Professional League transfer deadline is open until September 7, and more name value players could seek a trip to the Middle East.
The German conductor recently complained bitterly about the situation. He says he loves the players who have moved to Saudi Arabia, but insists that UEFA should do something about the financial gap that European clubs cannot compete with.
“The next week will show how much of a challenge it is because then nobody can react any more. That’s something UEFA should have an eye on because we all need to protect the game.
“I love my players who now play in Saudi Arabia. Usually I would watch them but I didn’t see anything yet, I don’t know where to find it. It doesn’t distract me from my watching habits.
“UEFA have to make sure the European leagues stay as strong as they are. Changing rules, adapting them slightly. We are all a bit surprised still by the activity from Saudi but it happened a lot and a lot of players went there. I don’t know where it leads to. But it feels rather like a threat or a concern than not.
“I can’t see how we can really deny it in specific moments. The difference between the contracts here and the contracts there are so big it causes problems.”