Mo Salah transfer update: Liverpool win the battle but maybe not the war as Al-Ittihad give up on Saudi deadline-day deal

Liverpool Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah

Liverpool Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah

Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad have reportedly given up hope of signing Liverpool forward Mo Salah before their transfer window shuts at 10pm on Thursday evening.

Al-Ittihad were thought to be ready to offer a whopping £200million to snap up the Egyptian as the clock ticks down on their ability to bring in new signings, but thatis no longer the case.

The Atheltic’s David Ornstein tweeted that neither Salah or Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho will be leaving their respective clubs on Thursday, although the former will remain a major target for Al-Ittihad going into the January window.

The Saudi side made a bid of £150m for Salah last Thursday and have remained in talks with Liverpool since Saturday, when the Saudi Pro League sent a delegate to London.

But despite several discussions to tempt the Anfield outfit into a sale, the Reds have remained firm in their stance that Salah is going nowhere.

And despite talk of one last-ditch bid being on the cards, the Daily Mail reports that sources close to the club say they are giving up hope.

As for Jurgen Klopp, he was always confident that his talisman would be going nowhere.

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Klopp always confident of Salah stay

Reacting to the offer last week, the German said on Sunday after Liverpool’s thumping win over Aston: “I never had any doubt about his commitment. He is our player and wants to play here.”

There has been speculation that Liverpool may have been interested in a deal if the offer had come earlier in the window.

However, it’s clear that Al-Ittihad have not given up on getting their top target just yet, and while Liverpool may feel like they have won this particular battle the war is still ongoing.

Salah is due to be back in action for the club on September 16 when Liverpool head to Molineux after the international break.

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