Egypt permit Mohamed Salah to 'miss next match' as Liverpool await new Saudi bid

03 September 2023 , 11:53

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Mo Salah joined his Liverpool teammates for a pre-match walk before facing Aston Villa

Mo Salah will be absent from Egypt's next game amid speculation over a HUGE money move to Saudi Arabia.

The Liverpool star was the subject of a £150 million bid from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad last week, a figure which would have made him the Premier League's most expensive ever player. But the Reds immediately rejected the verbal offer, continuing their stance that the 31-year-old was not available for sale.

The club however, will be fully aware that the saga is far from over. Despite the English summer transfer window closing at 11pm last Friday night, Saudi clubs are able to do deals up until September 7, a notion that has been publicly scolded by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

Salah is set to start as Liverpool host Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, but will do so with his club bracing themselves for an improved offer. According to reports, Al-Ittihad are prepared to go up to £200million to sign a player they view as a marquee star.

The forward was due to report for international duty immediately after the clash with Villa, with Egypt due to play an AFCON qualifier against Ethiopia and a friendly with Tunisia. But 'the Pharaohs' will now allow him to stay in the UK a bit longer and miss the Ethiopia clash to allow him time to make a decision on his future.

Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected

"The coach decided not to depend on Salah in the Ethiopia game, especially as the team has already ensured qualification for the African Cup of Nations finals," read an Egyptian FA statement. "Salah will play the Tunisia game normally."

Salah appeared relaxed as he joked with staff members

HAVE YOUR SAY! What should Mo Salah do? Comment below.

Indeed, the fact Egypt have already secured their place in the tournament in January would have undoubtedly made their decision easier. And the call is likely to please Klopp ahead of a congested fixture list for his side, complicated by Liverpool's Europa League involvement.

Should Salah move, he'll become the highest paid player in the Saudi league. The offer proposes a weekly wage of £1.5 million, surpassing the amount being paid to Cristiano Ronaldo at AL-Nassr.

Klopp though, has remained defiant over the striker's future. Before news broke of the rejected bid on Friday morning, he told reporters: "The position remains the same absolutely. That's how it is. Nothing else to say. No offer as far as I know."

Salah and co are unbeaten so far this season in the Premier League (Activate Digital)

Since joining from Roma in the summer of 2017, Salah has made 308 club appearances for Liverpool, scoring 187 times. He's cemented hero status at Anfield by contributing to the club winning the Champions League in 2018/19 and the Premier League title a year later, as well as since capturing the League Cup, FA Cup, European Super Cup and World Club Cup.

Fraser Watson