08 September 2023 , 08:18
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The Saudi Pro League remain confident it is simply a case of when, not if, Mohamed Salah becomes their latest big-name recruit.
Al-Ittihad, one of four clubs owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), made a concerted effort to try and prise Salah away from Anfield. However, Liverpool held firm and the Saudi transfer window has now closed meaning Salah will be staying put until at least January.
The Saudi side believe their pursuit of Salah is simply on hold, with the league desperate to sign a player widely regarded as the most popular in the Middle East, and one who would become the face of the league.
The Daily Mail state that senior Saudi executives were in London to hold talks with Liverpool about Salah, having already had a £150m bid rejected by the Reds. Al-Ittihad were willing to pay a world record fee and go above £200m.
However, Liverpool director Mike Gordon made it clear that he was not for sale and Al-Ittihad are now expected to return for Salah next year. Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal, who are also owned by PIF, are reportedly ready to compete with Al-Ittihad for Salah's signature.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be delighted that club chiefs held firm, with Salah hugely important to his plans for this season as the Reds look to challenge for the Premier League once again.
They have made an unbeaten start to the campaign, with Salah either scoring a goal or providing an assist in all four of their league games so far. Speaking after Liverpool's 3-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend, Klopp said: "I never had any doubt about his commitment to this club.
Al-Ittihad were unable to sign Mohamed Salah this summer (Getty Images)"You can't imagine how much fuss the world has made but how calm we are with it. He is our player and wants to play here. He didn't tell me [he wants to stay] but he didn't have to.
"He speaks with his training and performances and behaviour. We had meetings this week, and the meetings were not about what we did in the past, it was about what we will do in the future.
"Mo was with the players' [leadership] committee and had his moments where he was talking and it was nothing like 'by the way, this is only until next week' or whatever."