Is Liverpool about to lose ONE MORE midfielder? Saudi side Al-Ahli ‘submit £10.4m bid for Thiago Alcantara’ in move reuniting Spaniard with Roberto Firmino
Is Liverpool about to lose ONE MORE midfielder? Saudi side Al-Ahli ‘submit £10.4m bid for Thiago Alcantara’ in move reuniting Spaniard with Roberto Firmino
Saudi Arabian football’s foray into the Liverpool midfielder is reportedly set to go ahead after Al-Ahli earned a €12 million (£10.4 million) fee for Thiago Alcantara.
Jürgen Klopp has already seen Jordan Henderson and Fabinho snare for the Kingdom this summer, leaving huge gaps in his midfield at the eve of the season.
Now French newspaper L’Equipe claiming that Al-Ahli is pushing to land the Spaniard as part of their team overhaul.
Thiago still has one year left on his contract at Anfield and must make a decision about his long-term future.
But with five midfield departures so far this summer, it would be a major blow to Klopp to lose another starting caliber player a day before the season opener.
Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has interest from Saudi Arabia, according to a new report
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has called on FIFA to act during Saudi Arabia’s transfer window
Al-Ahli’s reported offer would see Thiago (right) reunite with ex-teammate Roberto Firmino
Liverpool boss Klopp has been frustrated by the power of Saudi clubs and recently called on FIFA to take action as the transfer window closes three weeks after the European deadline.
The transfer window in Europe’s top five leagues closes on September 1.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia have until September 20 to complete their affairs, having already invested heavily this summer.
The difference in deadlines could lead to disruption of selections in Europe, should the Saudi Pro League attract even more big names, such as Thiago.
‘It’s huge, right now’ said Kloppwhen asked about the Saudi influence on this window.
“I think the worst thing is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open three weeks longer.
‘If I’m right, I’ve heard something like that, it won’t help in Europe anyway. “Uefa or FIFA have to find solutions for that. But in the end, right now, I’m not quite sure what will happen.
“It is already influential, certainly for us. We will have to learn to deal with it and we will. I can’t say more about it, time will tell.’
Firmino was one of the big names to arrive in the Saudi Pro League this summer
Jordan Henderson, left, and Fabinho, right, have already left Liverpool for Saudi Pro League
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