Saudi chiefs 'pinpoint date for Mohamed Salah transfer' as Liverpool worry lingers

Ambitious Saudi Pro League clubs will bide their time until the summer before launching a fresh bid to lure Mohamed Salah to the Middle East.

The Liverpool talisman, 31, was the subject of significant interest from Saudi Arabia back in the summer with the Reds even rebuffing a substantial £150million offer from Al-Ittihad. And although the Saudi champions failed to return with an improved bid, interest in Salah's services has not waned.

It remains to be seen if further proposals will arrive in January for Salah, who still has 18 months left to run on his current contract. However, it is anticipated that Liverpool's desire to keep hold of their talisman will be tested at the end of the campaign.

According to a new report from Sky Sports, Salah is not expected to depart Anfield in the winter transfer window as things stand, but clubs in Saudi Arabia 'will not stop' until they secure the Egyptian forward's signature.

And while it would be highly unlikely for the Premier League leaders to sanction the departure of their talisman mid-season, they could struggle to turn down significant offers for a player who will have just 12 months to run on his deal in the summer of 2024.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher outlined back in September that a blockbuster transfer next summer would suit all three parties amid speculation that Al-Ittihad were plotting a mammoth £200m bid for the forward's services prior the Saudi Arabian transfer deadline.

He previously told talkSPORT: "His contract will be up before you know it. I think the feeling among most Liverpool supporters is that we have got him for one more season, rather than him going now, with no chance of bringing anyone in.

"For all parties, it almost feels like next summer;