Liverpool are having to fend off strong interest from Saudi Arabia for the second successive summer.
The Reds have had a number of players of interest to the Saudi Pro League after their PIF-funded takeover last year.
Ultimately, Liverpool were able to keep hold of Mohamed Salah when it looked like they might lose the Egyptian 12 months ago, while beneficial deals were also done for Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
This time, the Saudis are looking to bring three more experienced players from the Liverpool squad to the Middle East.
Interest reportedly remains in Salah, while Virgil van Dijk has held meetings with Al Nassr. Finally, Alisson Becker is said to be the top target of that very same club.
Who’s more likely to go – Ederson or Alisson?
Liverpool showed last summer that they will not bow to the money on offer from Saudi Arabia. They could quite easily have sold Salah for a huge amount, but turned the bid down.
With the 32-year-old now having just one year remaining on his contract, it would be interesting to see whether Liverpool would react in the same way to a similar sized proposal this year.
While Salah’s situation is a little up in the air though, things should be clearer for Alisson. The Brazilian is under contract at Anfield until 2027.
As a result, journalist Graeme Bailey says it would have to take an ‘eye-watering’ amount for Liverpool to even come to the table for Alisson.
“The interest in Alisson is there,” Bailey tells Rousing The Kop. “There is still a chance that he leaves.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Alisson Becker’s life away from football
There have also been rumours that Man City goalkeeper Ederson could be on his way to Saudi Arabia this summer. And Bailey claims that the 30-year-old is a more likely candidate than Alisson.
“I think Ederson is the more likely of the two Brazilians to go, but I think it depends what money Saudi have,” says the reporter. “They haven’t spent as much as people think, Ruben Neves is the highest transfer fee at £55m. So, I think Alisson is less likely than Ederson.
“I don’t think Alisson is massively pushing but there is interest there,” Bailey adds. “It’s not like Ederson where they’ve had contract talks and they’ve stalled. It wouldn’t be an absolute ‘knock me down with a feather’ if it did happen but I think it would have to be a pretty eye-watering deal for Liverpool to take it.
“We see the Saudi clubs get their budgets this week and that will impact Alisson possibly, so we’ll see what comes about.”
Liverpool linked with Brazilian goalkeeper
While Alisson remains away with Brazil at the Copa America, there shouldn’t be anything imminent happening here anyway.
But once the 31-year-old ends his time with his nation, it would be nice to get some absolute clarity from Alisson.
It has always felt as though the goalkeeper was completely happy at Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s exit and the arrival of Arne Slot could have changed that, but we don’t think so.
Nevertheless, Alisson being linked with a move away should sharpen Liverpool minds about what happens when the goalie does eventually move on.
With Caoimhin Kelleher also looking like he could move on this summer, the Reds have been linked with Alisson’s understudy with Brazil, Bento Krepski.
A move for Bento would suggest that Liverpool are thinking long-term about who plays between the sticks for them and could signify that a move is in the offing for Alisson in a year or two. This time though, we think we’re safe.
