Liverpool wary of Saudi interest as they look to tie down key star to new deal
Joao Cancelo has faced Liverpool eight times while playing for Manchester City, winning two, drawing three, and losing three of those encounters.
The Portuguese is still technically a Manchester City player despite having gone on back-to-back loans to Bayern Munich and Barcelona, the latter being where Cancelo is currently playing.
The 29-year-old, who is capable of operating both left and right back, often had the task of keeping Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah quiet, something that evidently proved difficult given the Egyptian’s fantastic record against the reigning champions.
According to the A Bola, when asked about his toughest opponent yet, Cancelo said:
“In England? Salah or Christian Pulisic. I will say Salah.”
While Liverpool fans may not find it surprising that Cancelo singled out Salah, the 31-year-old star winger, as a formidable opponent, his mention of another player’s name could spark interest.
Salah is widely recognized as one of the premier talents of his generation and is revered as one of the greatest African footballers of all time. His reputation is built on his clinical finishing, exceptional dribbling ability, and remarkable speed on the pitch.
Salah’s accomplishments in 2023 were nothing short of remarkable, as he solidified his status as Liverpool’s highest-ever Premier League goal-scorer and joined an exclusive group by netting his 200th goal for the club.
This season, Salah continues to dazzle, tallying an impressive 21 goals and 13 assists in 32 appearances across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s pursuit of a treble.
Such eye-catching performances naturally attract attention, and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad made a bold move by tabling a £100 million offer for the star winger. However, Liverpool swiftly rebuffed the proposal, signaling their intent to retain Salah’s services. With offers like this likely to surface again in the upcoming summer transfer window, Liverpool may face further tests in their resolve to keep hold of their prized asset.
Retaining Salah’s services is undoubtedly a priority for Liverpool given his exceptional performance and importance to the team. However, the financial offers from clubs in the Middle East pose a significant challenge for Liverpool, who may struggle to match such lucrative deals.
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