Saudi Pro-League club Al Ittihad have refused to give up on their pursuit of Mohamed Salah.
And they will decide whether to launch another mega-money bid to prise the Egyptian away from Merseyside in January once it becomes clear whether the Reds are in the title race.
Anfield bosses slammed the door shut on Salah leaving the club during the week after rejecting an offer from Al Ittihad that would have banked them £100million and another potential £50million in add-ons.
They were also willing to pay the 31-year-old £1.5million-a-week for him to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar as the poster boys of the Pro League.
Liverpool were steadfast in their stance that Salah was not for sale despite suggestions that the Saudis were ready to crank up their offer by another £50million.
But sources in the Middle East insist that Al Ittihad will return to put the pressure on Liverpool again when the transfer window opens in the New Year – and that they feel the Merseysiders will be open for business this time if they fail to build on their promising start to the Premier League season.
Liverpool lost out on £100million when they failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven years after finishing fifth last season.
Their American owners have backed manager Jurgen Klopp in the transfer market by spending almost £150million on Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo. And the Reds have opened their campaign by picking up 10 points from a possible 12.
There is a real belief inside the club that Klopp’s team can once again emerge as the biggest challengers to champions Manchester City. And Salah has had an outstanding form despite the speculation surrounding his future
Al Ittihad are aware that there is little hope of Liverpool’s position on Salah weakening if they are in a position to fight for the title at the turn of the year.
Salah will have 18 months left on his contract at that point and Liverpool’s owners may be forced into a rethink about cashing in on their star player when they can still get a maximum return.
