Paul Merson says he doesn’t want to be in Jurgen Klopp or Mo Salah’s shoes after Liverpool rejected a £150 million bid from Al-Ittihad for their star winger.
The Sky Sports pundit also added that he thinks Mo Salah will secure a transfer to Saudi Arabia by the time the window slams shut, as he told Deadline Day on Sky Sports (01/09/23 at 2:05 pm).
The former Arsenal player thinks that the 31-year-old’s head will be turned by the money being put on the table for him, as he ‘heard’ about the possible wages that are being put on the table if he joins – British Billionaire Alan Sugar is confused by it all.
It has been well-documented for a while that those in Saudi Arabia might be coming in for Salah, it was just a case of waiting for an offer.
And, at the worst time for Liverpool, a £150 million bid was put on the table for the Egypt international, but it has been rejected, as reported by Sky Sports.
It has now raised the question as to whether Al-Ittihad will put in another bid for the player, with Merson stating that if it’s ‘£200 million’, then the powers that be at Anfield simply can’t reject it.
“He is one of the best players in the world, it’s a hard one,” said Merson. “He is 31. £150 million. If he is selling for £150 million. What can you bring in for that money? Are they going to win the league this season? I don’t think so.
“With another week of the window to go, and the money they are throwing around, they might even say ‘it’s £200 million’, then I think it’s a worry. I would say £200 million (would be irresistible). I don’t see how you can (reject that) for a 31-year-old.
“If Salah goes, you are talking not even a top four challenge. That’s how highly I rate him. You have to think about the wages that are being put around the lad, I heard £1.5 million-a-week. That’s going to turn his head. He isn’t going to be happy. It’s a big worry for Klopp.
On if you want Klopp or Salah unhappy: “You have to keep Klopp happy, surely. He is the manager of the football club. But he will want him to stay. If he does go, it will be from upstairs – I wouldn’t want to be in Jurgen Klopp’s shoes or Salah’s. This will twist his head.
On if Salah will be a Liverpool player at the end of the window: “I am going to go, no. Money talks. Mo Salah won’t be happy. He won’t.”
Will Liverpool change their stance?
At what point do Liverpool say ‘we can no longer reject this offer?’. If Al-Ittihad come in again, then, forget about Salah’s head possibly being turned, those at Anfield then need to look at the bigger picture.
For Liverpool fans, it’s a big no-no and they will be saying that there is no way that they can accept any offer because of how important Salah is to them.
But, at the end of the day, no player is bigger than the team, so this one might still take a few twists, which Liverpool fans won’t like to hear at all.
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