Al-Ittihad Revive Salah Interest as Saudi Giants Eye Summer Free Transfer

Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al-Ittihad have reopened their pursuit of Mohamed Salah, reigniting a transfer saga that last summer saw the Jeddah club have a £150 million bid rejected by Liverpool, according to ESPN.

The 33-year-old Egypt captain will be out of contract at Anfield in June and, after attracting little traction during the January window, is now poised to leave on a free. Sources told ESPN that Al-Ittihad believe the changed circumstances give them a clear run at a player they tried to prise away only 18 months ago.

Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, concluded that demanding a fee in the current climate risked turning an already delicate negotiation into a “difficult situation,” the Telegraph reports, clearing the path for Salah to listen to offers from the Gulf or elsewhere.

While Liverpool weigh up life after their talisman, the club have maintained regular dialogue with former midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is said to be open to succeeding Arne Slot in the dug-out this summer if key conditions are met, German outlet Bild notes.

Replacing Salah’s output will be paramount. France winger Michael Olise has been mentioned as a possible successor, yet Bayern Munich are under no immediate pressure to sell the 24-year-old, who is tied to the Bavarians until 2029 without a release clause, Sport Bild adds.

Across the Premier League, Manchester United are mapping out reinforcements ahead of an anticipated return to European competition. Sky Sports lists RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, Newcastle defender Lewis Hall, 21, and Everton’s Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye, 26, as live targets.

United are also preparing for the departure of Casemiro, who agreed in January to scrap an appearance-related extension clause that would have kept the 34-year-old Brazilian at Old Trafford for another year, the Manchester Evening News reports. Should Barcelona decline the £26 million option to convert Marcus Rashford’s loan into a permanent deal, United remain confident of finding alternative buyers for the 28-year-old England international, ESPN says.

Barcelona’s own defensive shopping list is headed by Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni. The 26-year-old Italian left-sided centre-back is admired at Camp Nou, though Liverpool could yet enter the race, Football Italia suggests.

Elsewhere, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe retains the full support of the board despite fan frustration following Champions League elimination by Barcelona and a derby defeat to Sunderland, according to the Times.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, 25, insists his focus is on signing a long-term extension in the Spanish capital, while Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, 24, has dismissed speculation linking him with Real Madrid, affirming his commitment to Stamford Bridge. Juventus, meanwhile, are closing on a new deal for Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, whose current terms expire in the summer, Gazzetta dello Sport reports.