Liverpool's 'main priority' revealed amid fears of another Saudi raid
Tom Weber
- Updated: 3 Oct 2023 10:42 CDT
- 4 min read
Liverpool veterans Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara are out of contract in the summer, and tying the latter down to a new deal is the Reds' 'main priority,' according to a report.
The Anfield club are coming off a summer of massive player turnover. It was a transfer revolution as several high-profile midfielders departed and were replaced with equally high-profile signings.
Among those who headed for the exit were captain Jordan Henderson and Brazil midfielder Fabinho. Both followed the wave of Europe-based superstars who headed to the Saudi Pro League, but the football chiefs in the Gulf State were not satisfied with just those two Liverpool players.
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The Saudis also tried to lure Mohamed Salah to the Middle East, but the Reds refused to budge despite the eye-watering sums reigning Pro League champions Al-Ittihad were prepared to offer. Interest in Salah remains, but he isn't the only one courted by the Saudis.
Thiago a wanted man
According to journalist Rudy Galetti, Saudi interest in soon-to-be-out-of-contract Thiago "is concrete and real." The experienced midfielder had already been linked with an exit to Turkey in September and the expectation has always been that he would depart on a free next summer.
But Galetti believes that this will not necessarily be the case. “Liverpool added to their agenda the discussions of the future of two players whose contracts expire in 2024: Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara," he told Tribal Football.
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“The main priority is to approach Thiago Alcantara: Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp especially want to convince the Spanish midfielder to extend his contract for a short period...In the next weeks, the first contact is expected.”
“Talking about Matip, despite his will to remain, the chances of him leaving at the end of the season are growing. At the moment, Liverpool are evaluating the opportunity to reinforce – in the summer – the defence with a young profile. So, to date, the possible renewal of Joel is not in their plans.”
Matip scored the unfortunate 96th-minute own goal that saw nine-man Liverpool controversially lose to Tottenham at the weekend.
