Ambitious Saudi Pro League clubs are set to test Liverpool’s resolve after identifying Luis Diaz and Joe Gomez as summer transfer targets.
The Reds are set to usher in a new era under Arne Slot after long-serving manager Jurgen Klopp stepped down earlier this month and it’s expected that the Dutchman will make changes to his new team.
Mohamed Salah has indicated that he is planning to remain at Anfield despite continued interest from the Middle East – but other Liverpool players are attracting interest from Saudi Arabia.
The Mail have revealed that Diaz and Gomez are both on the radar of clubs who, rather than targeting star names, are now focusing on signing younger players in a bid to grow the Saudi league.
The report goes on to outline that there is a belief both Diaz and Gomez would be open to making a fresh start this summer in the wake of Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool.
Diaz, 27, joined the Reds from FC Porto in a £37.5million deal back in January 2022, while Gomez, who enjoyed a stellar season, has been at Anfield since leaving Charlton in 2015. The former attracted interest from Saudi Arabia last year, however, Liverpool were reluctant to allow the versatile defender to leave the club.
As well as Gomez, Saudi Pro League clubs were heavily linked with Salah last year and Al-Ittihad even lodged a blockbuster £150million proposal for the Egyptian’s services on transfer deadline day. Liverpool rebuffed the offer, although it is thought Salah is still of interest to clubs in the Gulf state.
Salah has one year left to run on his current deal and it remains to be seen if he and Liverpool will come to terms on an extension. He did recently tease that he was planning to remain at Anfield for the 2024/25 season, though, in a social media post.
The forward, who clashed with Klopp on the touchline just weeks before the German bid an emotional farewell to Anfield, expressed his desire to win more trophies next year. He wrote: “We know that trophies are what count and we will do everything possible to make that happen next season. Our fans deserve it and we will fight like hell.”
