According to The Sun, officials from Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad are currently in the UK, poised to present a world-record-breaking offer of $270 million for Egyptian football sensation Mohamed Salah, who currently plays for Liverpool.
The British tabloid, though lacking cited sources in its Monday report, suggests that Al Ittihad representatives have traveled to the United Kingdom in their latest endeavor to secure the 31-year-old Egyptian international’s signature before the Saudi transfer window closes on Thursday.
The Sun also reveals that Salah, widely recognized as the most prominent Arab footballer globally, has been presented with a record-breaking weekly salary of £2.45 million in the Saudi Pro League.
Furthermore, the report details that Salah has been extended an enticing package, including a substantial percentage of shirt sales, a £55,000 bonus for each victory, and ambassadorial roles with at least three prominent Saudi companies throughout the duration of his contract.
As of now, Liverpool FC has not issued an official response to The Sun’s report.
This bid comes on the heels of last week’s rejection by Liverpool of a $189.6 million offer from the Saudi club, which is partially owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
After Liverpool’s resounding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, where Salah was among the goal-scorers, Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, emphatically stated that the club would not entertain any offers to part with Salah, regardless of the sum.
Echoing this sentiment, Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson asserted that the squad harbored no concerns about Salah’s potential departure, emphasizing that Mohamed Salah remains a vital part of Liverpool’s plans for the foreseeable future.
Salah, who has two years remaining on his contract inked last year, boasts an impressive record of 188 goals in 309 appearances for Liverpool since joining the club in June 2017.
Should Al Ittihad fail to secure Salah’s transfer this week, they may consider making another bid during the January transfer window.
In the backdrop of these high-profile sports acquisitions, Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich nation, has been actively promoting itself as a global business and tourism hub under the Vision 2030 reform initiative led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as the chairman of PIF.
Recent years have witnessed significant Saudi investments in various sports, including golf, Formula One, and football. Saudi clubs have made substantial financial commitments to sign world-renowned footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar in recent months.
In June, it was announced that PIF would take control of four major domestic football clubs: Al Nassr and Al Hilal based in Riyadh, and Al Ittihad and Al Ahli in Jeddah.
However, these lavish expenditures and investments have sparked criticism, with some asserting that Saudi Arabia’s actions are aimed at diverting attention from its concerning human rights record.
