LIVERPOOL REFUSE TO CONSIDER MOHAMED SALAH EXIT AFTER HUGE AL-ITTIHAD OFFER TO PLAYER – PAPER ROUND
Liverpool are not interested in selling Mohamed Salah after he received a giant offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, while Monaco are favourites to sign Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun. Elsewhere, Manchester United could make a late move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, and Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney may join Real Sociedad on loan.
AL-ITTIHAD MAKE HUGE SALAH OFFER
The Telegraph reports that Liverpool are not interested in selling Mohamed Salah, particularly given the small window to replace the player.
“Liverpool have no intention of selling Mohamed Salah in this transfer window amid growing interest from Saudi Arabia and are ready to resist any imminent attempt to lure the Egyptian from Anfield,” the paper reports.
“Saudi Pro-League side Al-Ittihad want Salah and are reportedly prepared to hand him a contract in excess of the £177 million earned by Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
“But the timing of such a move is inconceivable for Liverpool, who as of Thursday afternoon had received no approach for their star player and will not welcome one.
“Even if an extraordinary offer was made, replacing a player of Salah’s pedigree within a few days would be near impossible for manager Jurgen Klopp. As yet, there has been no indication from the player’s side that he is anything but committed to Anfield as he is one year into a £350,000 a week deal running until 2025.”
MONACO CLOSE IN ON BALOGUN
Folarin Balogun is keen on completing his proposed move to Monaco despite reported interest from clubs such as Chelsea.
The Mail reports: “Monaco are closing in on a £40 million swoop for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
“As things stand, the USA international is only considering a move to the French side despite interest from other Premier League clubs.
“Mail Sport reported on Wednesday that The Gunners were in talks with the Ligue 1 club amid an expectation that a formal offer would be made by the end of the week.
“And the deal has progressed significantly in the last 24 hours with an agreement now virtually sealed. Some finer details of the deal still require finalising but the expectation is that Balogun will join Monaco.”
AMRABAT TRAINS ALONE
Sofyan Amrabat is training away from the Fiorentina squad so as not to risk an injury that could cost him a move away, with Manchester United still linked.
“Manchester United have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of Sofyan Amrabat with Fiorentina admitting they will ‘consider bids’ for him,” writes the Mirror.
“The Red Devils, alongside Premier League rivals Liverpool, have been linked with a swoop for the Moroccan midfielder before the end of the transfer window. The Reds are still looking for midfield recruits, whilst Erik ten Hag also wants to add to his midfield options before the end of the summer.
“Amrabat’s future appears set to be away from Fiorentina. He was excluded from the Italian side’s squad for their Europa Conference League play-off against Rapid Vienna.
“The 27-year-old is also training away from the Italian club’s first team amid growing rumours surrounding his future. Now, Fiorentina’s chief executive Giuseppe Barone has offered an update by revealing that they have not received any bids for the midfielder but has not ruled out potentially selling him in the near future.”
SOCIEDAD CLOSE IN ON TIERNEY
Despite links with Newcastle and Celtic, Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney is closest to leaving to join La Liga side Real Sociedad.
The Sun believes: “Real Sociedad are front-runners to sign Kieran Tierney with negotiations ongoing with Arsenal for a season-long loan deal.
“SunSport understands Tierney is keen on the move to the La Liga side – who are also in the Champions League group stages – with the opportunity to get back playing regularly in one of the top five leagues in Europe.
“Boyhood team and first club Celtic had been named bookies’ favourites to secure a sensational return for the 26-year-old they sold for a record £25 million in 2019.
“And talk rose to fever pitch after previous favourites Newcastle United, who had a long-standing interest in the Scotland star, suddenly moved instead this week for Chelsea’s Lewis Hall on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent deal next summer.
“However, while Tierney himself had left the door open for a stunning second spell in Paradise, and Celts boss Brendan Rodgers then refused to rule it out, it’s believed Real Sociedad are now in pole position for his signature.”