Saudi club Al-Ittihad are not giving up in their pursuit of Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, meanwhile Virgil van Dijk has taken to social media after been charged by the FA.
Al-Ittihad will continue chasing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah for another week if the Reds continue to stand firm, according to the Daily Mail.
The report corroborates an earlier claim from Sky Sports that the Saudi Pro League side is ready to table an improved world-record £200m bid for Salah after a £150m proposal was rejected.
While the Premier League transfer window has already closed, Saudi clubs are able to bring in new players until September 7.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has already called for greater alignment between the two leagues, telling the press that it’s the ‘worst thing’ (via BBC Sport).
Klopp and the club are adamant that Salah isn’t for sale this summer, but figures at Anfield privately recognize that ‘economic’ considerations will supersede the ‘immediate sporting project’ at some point.
As such, Liverpool has been ‘sounding out’ the agents of possible replacements, though it hasn’t made any firm moves so far.
Salah is regarded as a potential ‘symbol’ of the rising Saudi project despite earlier moves for icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, and is seen as the ‘biggest Arab athlete’ in the world.
Also, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says he’s ‘gutted’ that he won’t be able to play against Aston Villa this weekend after picking up a red card last week at Newcastle.
Van Dijk was sent off inside the first half-hour at St James’ Park after he was adjudged to have denied Alexander Isak a clear goalscoring opportunity.
That in itself would only merit a one-match ban, but Van Dijk could see his spell on the sidelines extended to two games after he was charged with using ‘abusive and/or insulting words’ towards the officials.
The Dutchman was given until Friday to respond to the charge, but if it’s upheld, he may not be able to play against Wolves on September 16 after the international break.
