Klopp offered Salah swap deal after Liverpool handed '£130m Saudi bid'

30 August 2023 , 20:22

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Klopp offered Salah swap deal after Liverpool handed '£130m Saudi bid'

Barcelona forward Ansu Fati is open to joining Liverpool and a move would be feasible if Mohamed Salah is sold this summer.

Tottenham have been pushing to sign the Spain international in the closing days of the summer transfer window while Chelsea have also held an interest. Barca are keen on shifting the forward’s wage from their books so they can register the loan signing of Joao Cancelo from Manchester City.

Fati’s situation comes amid Saudi Arabian champions Al Ittihad preparing to offer Liverpool superstar Salah a deal that would eclipse the £173million-per-year salary of Cristian Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has downplayed rumours Salah could be leaving, while the player's agent Ramy Abbas Issa insisted earlier this month that the forward "remains committed to LFC". However, the Saudi transfer window does not close until 20 September and they will launch a concentrated effort to land the Egyptian.

Salah has been heavily linked with a move to the Saudi club in recent weeks, with state-owned broadcaster KSA Sports TV claiming Liverpool's 2-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday would be Salah's final game for the Reds. An eye-watering £130million offer has been touted.

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A report in Relevo has suggested that the Reds have been made aware of Fati’s availability –although it remains more likely that the Barca forward moves to London due to the uncertainty of Salah's future at Anfield with the very real possibility he stays at the club.

Have Your Say! Is there a price which Liverpool should consider selling Salah? Tell us what you think here.

Ansu Fati has been linked with a move to the Premier League (Getty Images)

Fati's contract with Barcelona is set to expire in 2027, but he has not been a regular starter under manager Xavi Hernandez. The 20-year-old Spain forward can play anywhere across the forward line and contributed 10 goals and four assists in 51 appearances last season.

Spurs have been in prolonged efforts to sign the forward, although that reports adds that Fati was unsure on a move to the north London side and instead held a preference for Anfield or Chelsea.

The Reds have already seen several star players depart to the Middle-East this summer. Club captain Jordan Henderson joined Al-Ettifaq while Fabinho was signed by Al-Ittihad, who want to reunite the Brazilian with Salah for this upcoming campaign.

Furthermore, Roberto Firmino departed Anfield as a free agent and joined Al-Ahli, while former Reds star Sadio Mane joined Ronaldo at Al-Nassr following one unsuccessful season with Bayern Munich – with fresh reports on Tuesday suggesting Joe Gomez may also be on his way to the Middle East.

Colin Millar