Turn down 150 million for a 31-year-old player? Not a smart move by Liverpool

Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad were very interested in one of the Premier League’s biggest stars, none other than Mohamed Salah. Liverpool, however, rejected the 150million offer with thanks. A bit of a surprise to many, it must be added.

Currently the leading Saudi Pro League club brought in four players from Europe, namely Fabinho (the club’s most expensive signing to date – 47 million euros), Jota, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté went to Al-Ittihad.

Rudy Galetti reported last week about the Saudi Arabian club’s interest in Salah. The decision was up to Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp, who, however, rejected the definitive offer of €150 million with thanks (€100 million + €50 million in bonuses), not wanting to lose the Egyptian winger, who has clearly been the Reds’ best player in recent years.

The player himself was apparently in favour of a transfer to Saudi Arabia. He has won both the Premier League and the Champions League with Liverpool, where he has been since 2017, so he would love to set off on a new adventure.

Was it a wise decision?

Liverpool would get a really big sum for the author of 187 goals in a Reds jersey, which they could invest further. So, looking at the narrow squad, it seems like a good choice. That’s also why it was believed that this transfer would go through to a successful conclusion.

Salah is already 31 years old and has a contract at Anfield until 2025. So such an offer may not, and quite possibly never, be repeated. Even more so when Klopp talks very often in press conferences about how his club cannot afford to splurge as much as others.

So when the Reds get a great opportunity that they could use in an interesting investment, they don’t take it…

Moreover, Klopp definitely has interesting players in attack, but he has virtually no alternatives in case of injury. With Salah, 30 goals would indeed leave (2022/23 season), but if two new younger players could come in for him, it’s definitely a deal that will weaken the team at first glance, but in the longer term it would very likely have the opposite effect.

Although Liverpool have tried to bring in a number of players in recent weeks, some have ended up choosing another club. Many players have already been dismantled and the Reds would be left with ‘leftovers’, so maybe we will see Salah’s departure in January or next summer. Sooner or later it will happen.

Source: Transfermarkt, Sky Sports