Liverpool, Salah, and Saudi Arabia: A Bid on the Table That Could Break World Records

• Soccer

Football has never been a stranger to gargantuan figures, but the latest offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad for Liverpool's golden boy, Mohamed Salah, is setting a precedent. Sources from The Daily Mail suggest that Al-Ittihad has tabled the highest bid in football history, which could reach a staggering €251.5 million when all bonuses are considered.

The Breakdown of the Offer

At its base, the offer stands at a solid €175 million. Add to this the potential bonuses and the figure balloons to an amount that not only would surpass previous transfer records but also reshape the world of football financing.

Representatives from Al-Ittihad have reportedly been in England since the previous Saturday, working hard to persuade Liverpool to let go of their star player. Despite this tempting sum, Jurgen Klopp, the celebrated manager of Liverpool, seems steadfast in his resolution to keep Salah.

He's expressed concerns over the time crunch, emphasizing that parting ways with Salah at this juncture would leave the team with little opportunity to scout an appropriate replacement. Klopp also voiced concerns about Saudi Arabian clubs approaching players post the English transfer window closure.

And if the fixed offer wasn't enticing enough, Salah's potential weekly salary with Al-Ittihad is rumored to be almost €3 million, accompanied by a slew of other financial incentives. From a cut of jersey sales to victory bonuses and an ambassadorial role with three major Saudi Arabian companies, the perks of this deal are undeniably grand.

Historical Context: Football’s Priciest Transfers

For perspective, Neymar's 2017 move from Barcelona to PSG for €222 million is currently the most expensive transfer on record. Though, in Neymar’s case, he "bought out" his own contract, making him technically a free agent when he signed with PSG.

On the other hand, the highest compensation paid directly by a club for a player is €145 million by PSG for Kylin Mbappe in 2017. This was when he made the switch from Monaco. Following this is Joao Felix's transfer from Benfica to Atletico Madrid for €126 million.

Mohamed Salah, since joining Liverpool, has proven his weight in gold. With 188 goals and 81 assists from 309 matches, he remains an invaluable asset for the Reds. The Egyptian King's contract with Liverpool is set to expire in the summer of 2025.

As football fans across the globe watch this unfolding drama, one question remains: will money speak louder than loyalty? Only time will tell.