Saudi Pro League believe their Mo Salah pursuit is only on hold after he stayed at Liverpool with transfer window now CLOSED amid £200m interest from Al-Ittihad

The Saudi Pro League think their search for Mohamed Salah has merely been put on hold, despite Al Ittihad’s failure to sign the Liverpool star before their transfer window closed on Thursday night.

Senior Saudi officials were in London for talks with Liverpool on Saturday and were willing to pay a world record sum for Salah, but the Reds stood their ground.

Al Ittihad last week offered £150 million and was willing to pay 31-year-old Salah an annual salary of £100 million after tax for three years.

But Liverpool director Mike Gordon reiterated that the Egyptian was not for sale this summer.

Manager Jurgen Klopp said on Sunday: “I never doubted his commitment. He is our player and wants to play here.’

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The Saudis were willing to spend more than £200 million and it feels certain they will return for Salah next year. Al Ahli and Al Hilal – who, like Al Ittihad, are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund – are ready to compete to sign him.

Jürgen Klopp’s side never saw it happen any other way, with them considering the matter closed after formally rejecting the offer last week.

The boss said on Sunday: ‘I never doubted his commitment. He is our player and wants to play here.’

The Saudis chased the Salah situation all summer, but left it on the British display late to make a serious effort to sign him, which was ultimately to their detriment.

Many believe that Liverpool might have been more willing to talk if a bid had been made a month earlier.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are racing to get stadium redevelopment done in time for next month’s Merseyside derby to be a full house.

Contractors Buckingham Group went into administration during the refurbishment of Anfield Road End, so the club have appointed a new contractor, Rayner Rowen, to complete the work.