The Reds manager discussed the difficulties brought on by the Saudi Arabia transfer window continuing into September.
As shocking rumors about Mohamed Salah continue, Jurgen Klopp has once more requested that FIFA change the dates of Saudi Arabia’s transfer window.
Liverpool maintains that Salah, who has two years left on his contract, is not open for sale despite reports of interest from Saudi champions Al-Ittihad. As the Premier League transfer season approaches its last week, Al-Ittihad is ratcheting up its efforts to entice Salah to the Saudi Pro League.
The Reds don’t plan to consider any offers for Salah, who moved up to fifth on the club’s all-time scoring list with his goal in last week’s 3-1 victory over Bournemouth at home. However, this summer has seen the Saudi league sign several well-known players, including Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, to eye-watering contracts in the middle east.
Understandably, fans are leery of growing interest in their star players.
The Reds boss said that the scenario is “not comfortable” as Saudi clubs continue to show interest in the top names in European football, including Salah, before their deadline of September 20.
I completely agree that it is uncomfortable and uncool for us, but that is the how things are, stated Klopp. “However, if we want a player from, say, Wigan Athletic, I go there and they tell us the cost, and we probably pay it,” he continued. Most likely, it varies a little bit, but not just for us, major football clubs. When Bayern or Dortmund arrive in the Bundesliga, Bielefeld or Mainz are powerless to respond, yet there is a next level now yes, definitely and it is not great.
“I believe this to be a necessary part of the business, and I’m not sure if you can change it or if someone will, but as of a certain point, it becomes impossible to deal with because our transfer window closes while the other transfer window is still open. If they don’t stop now, how can we respond? We currently have a team for the season, and we work to keep it that way until the following week [after the transfer deadline].
“We play from that point till January 1st, and this is our squad. Everyone is accustomed to that. We currently have that issue. If I recall well, we had it with Russia in the past.Thankfully, it was a long time ago, but they could still come in for players since there was a different transfer window, and the price wasn’t absolutely outrageous.
Klopp continued, “It is new, it presents challenges for everyone, and we must learn to live with it. However, the authorities must make it obvious that if you want to be a part of the system, you must do your business at least at the same time as everyone else. Let’s alter that if we can’t change the other things. FIFA could probably handle it in this way (clicks fingers). They could, though I’m not sure they would want to.
