Saudi Arabia transfer chiefs 'thought Mo Salah deal was done and ...

Mohamed Salah is wanted by Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad... but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is determined to keep hold of the prolific Egypt international

Al-Ittihad prepared a private jet for Mohamed Salah on deadline day last Friday - such was their confidence of signing the Liverpool forward.

The Saudi Pro League champions are trying to agree a deal for Salah, 31, but Liverpool are refusing to sell their talisman. They've already rejected a £150million bid from Al-Ittihad, with a £215m offer set to be submitted. That would be a world-record transfer fee.

Although the Premier League's transfer window closed last Friday, Saudi clubs can sign players until this Thursday. That means Al-Ittihad still have time to agree a transfer fee with Liverpool and make Salah the best-paid footballer on the planet.

Jurgen Klopp and Andy Robertson have played down the rumours, but Liverpool fans won't feel at ease until the Saudi Pro League's transfer window closes. Salah is Liverpool's biggest star having scored 188 goals for the club since arriving six years ago.

According to the ECHO, Al-Ittihad thought Liverpool would accept their £150m bid and lined up a private jet to take Salah to Jeddah. Yet Fenway Sports Group's president Mike Gordon instantly rejected the bid to leave the Saudis frustrated.

Although that news will please Liverpool fans, the fear of losing Salah to Al-Ittihad is very real. The Saudis want to sign the Egypt international because he's the most popular footballer in the Middle East. They are reportedly willing to pay him £2.45m per week.

Even if Salah doesn't go before Thursday's deadline, there's an expectation he will eventually move to Saudi Arabia. Yet it's unlikely Liverpool will receive another offer in excess of £200m due to the forward's age, which could encourage them to sell now.

Do you think Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool? Let us know in the comments below!

Klopp is trying to reassure fans about Salah's future. He's constantly rejected the idea that his star player will quit Merseyside this summer. The former Chelsea and Roma star has just under two years remaining on his existing contract.

"I never had any doubt about his commitment to this club," said Klopp after Liverpool's 3-0 win against Aston Villa on Sunday. "You can't imagine how much fuss the world has made but how calm we are with it. He is our player and wants to play here."

Robertson added: "There is no concern. For us Mohamed Salah is a Liverpool player and we believe that is what is going to be the case for the foreseeable future... The club's position was that it knocked it back, it rejected the bid and that is what the stance was.

"For me Mo has been Mo all week. He's not been affected; I've been around him a lot and he's not been affected by anything. Mo has reacted in the best way possible and I think you have seen that with his performance, I think he was pretty special."

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