Jurgen Klopp has broken his silence on Mohamed Salah‘s transfer. The Liverpool boss has insisted that the club has no plans to sell the Egyptian before the transfer deadline amid mounting speculation that Al-Ittihad are planning to make an astronomical offer.
The Saudi Pro League club have already raided Liverpool for defensive midfielder Fabinho, while they have also persuaded the likes of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante to become part of their ambitious project.
However, Salah’s move represent arguably the biggest acquisition in the league’s fledgling history – given Cristiano Ronaldo was a free agent when he moved earlier this year following his release by Manchester United.
The Liverpool winger’s agent dismissed speculation that Salah was considering his future a fortnight ago but Al-Ittihad’s renewed interest and show of ambition has prompted the 31-year-old to hear them out.
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Responding to reports that Liverpool’s resolve to keep Salah will be tested ahead of the transfer window closing – Klopp, speaking ahead of Sunday’s game against Newcastle, said: ‘It’s a bit difficult to talk about media stories because there is nothing to talk about.
‘We don’t have an offer. He’s a Liverpool player. To all the things we do he is essential, he was and will be, there is nothing there. If there was something, the answer would be no.
‘In my life, I think about a problem when I have it. There’s nothing at the moment. When something comes up then I can think about it. If there would be something, there is a no.’
Asked, in the face of reports about his future, whether Salah remained fully committed to Liverpool Klopp added: ‘100%.’
On the threat Premier League clubs face from the infinite wealth of Saudi Arabia’s flagship clubs, Klopp added: ‘It’s not cool for us, that’s clear. If we want a player from Wigan, say, we go there and we pay the price.
‘Same in the Bundesliga etc. Now there’s a next level and it’s not great but this is part of the business. I’m not sure you can change that.
‘What makes it impossible to deal with is our transfer window closes and they stay open. Then we play until January 1 and this is our squad, we have that problem.
‘I remember something like this in Russia long time ago. That was not completely crazy money. It’s new and challenging
‘I am pretty sure FIFA could [change their deadline] like this (clicks finger) but I am not sure they want to.’