Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Nigeria

Liverpool and Arsenal will be worried about January window and could lose stars

talksport.com, 18 November 2023, 09:00
Liverpool and Arsenal might be waiting nervously as the January transfer window prepares to get underway in six weeks.

While many clubs will be looking to patch up any holes in the squad they might be encountering, it will give the Saudi Pro League another chance to sweep up some of the biggest names in football.

And their sights have already been set on Liverpool and Arsenal, who might have to fight to keep hold of their star players.

Mohamed Salah is the biggest player that has been eyed by Saudi Arabia, who tried to move heaven and earth to sign the Egypt international in August.

Liverpool already saw an exodus of players last summer, including Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino, who all made the move to the Gulf state.

The Reds are not alone, though, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Man City and Tottenham also batting off interest in their top stars.

READ MORE ON TRANSFERS

Mbappe, Osimhen, and Real Madrid men - stars Premier League clubs could sign in January

Ramsdale and Man United stars among a host of top names who could move clubs in January

Thomas Partey is one of the big names at the Emirates Stadium who has been heavily linked with a Saudi transfer, but there could be further plots afoot.

Heung-min Son, Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Magalhaes were all subject to intense speculation over the summer over Middle Eastern transfers.

So, who could be on their way from London and Liverpool to Saudi Arabia this January?

Mohamed Salah - Liverpool

The Saudi Pro League have not made any secret of their desire to sign Salah as Al Ittihad launched a £150million bid to land him from Liverpool.

Most read in Football

Everton fans rage as documents show Tottenham saved £20million on Richarlison

Tomori experiment backfires as Kane extends golden run - what we learned from England win

'Cursed' Man United suffer double injury blow as two stars taken off on international duty

Kane booked for diving and denied 'stonewall' penalty but scores as England scrape win

The Reds stood firm and rejected their advances, but can they hold the fort one more time? Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo latest admission over Salah might give Liverpool something to worry about.

Danny Murphy responds to comments made about him by Aaron Ramsdale's Dad in heated discussion with Simon Jordan

He said last month: "If anyone would like to come and there is an opportunity to work with the releasing club in a very respectful and professional manner, we would be very happy to have them.

"But yeah, Mo is my personal favourite."

Ibrahima Konate - Liverpool

Al Ittihad tried to sign Konate in the summer but Liverpool, likely fed up of the Saudis at this point, did everything in their power to keep hold of the defender.

The Frenchman has had some injury troubles this season, though, while Saudi Pro League interest could be revived, leading to another battle for his signature.

Gabriel Magalhaes - Arsenal

There was huge talk Gabriel could leave Arsenal after Arteta left him out of the starting line-up in the first few Premier League games of the season.

Al Ittihad were strongly linked with the Brazilian, who stayed in the end, but could be the subject of yet another mammoth offer.

Thomas Partey - Arsenal

Arsenal might be facing up to allowing Partey to exit in January after a series of injury problems while Declan Rice has taken his spot in midfield.

Mikel Arteta was reluctant to let the Ghana international leave after Al Ahli tried to snap him up but the Gunners could let him go to recoup a fee on the 30-year-old.

Jadon Sancho - Manchester United

One player who might not meet much resistance over a departure is Sancho, where United are happy to let him go and has been linked with a Saudi transfer before.

If the Saudi Pro League cannot prise Salah away, Sancho might quickly become the top target with Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq interested, though other clubs are also keen, report The Telegraph.

Heung-min Son - Tottenham

The Tottenham star is one of the top targets for Saudi clubs and was the subject of intense speculation over the summer.

Ange Postecoglou would be extremely reluctant to lose his captain, though, especially after already losing Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.

But a huge offer could change Tottenham's mind.

Richarlison - Tottenham

While it has not been a happy season for Richarlison at Tottenham, they would still not want to see their £60m man leave and weaken the squad.

But Saudi clubs are taking an interest in the Brazilian ahead of the January transfer window, report The Telegraph, and if a big offer comes in, it would be hard for Spurs to say no.

Bernardo Silva - Manchester City

It feels almost every transfer window that Silva is linked with a move away from City and after batting down Barcelona, Pep Guardiola has a new threat.

The Portugal international will have 18 months on his contract in January and any mega-offer from Saudi Arabia could be tempting.

Read More on talkSPORT

Hoddle responds to Beckham family's criticism in Netflix doc: 'I've got no problem'

Simon Jordan laughs as Martin Keown jokes he'll 'leave studio' in heated Arsenal debate

Kevin de Bruyne - Manchester City

Undoubtedly one of City's best-ever players, it is no surprise to see the Belgium international linked with a move to the Middle East, one that the Premier League champions would be reluctant to sanction.

But injury concerns might change a few opinions at the Etihad Stadium and whether they could resist De Bruyne telling them he wants to leave looks a tall ask.

Top News

28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi is hopeful that Sergi Roberto will sign a new contract at Camp Nou. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A second-half Tottenham Hotspur fightback was in vain as Arsenal survived a monumental scare to triumph 3-2 in Sunday's Premier League North London derby. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal will travel to Germany for Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have reportedly started work to tie Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic down to new contracts. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will travel to Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, with two of the biggest clubs in Europe set to lock horns. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich are reportedly prepared to renew their interest in Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly made progress in their bid to sign Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Birmingham City have reportedly joined Sheffield United in the race for Leeds United defender Luke Ayling. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford and Luton Town have reportedly learnt of Blackburn Rovers' asking price for leading marksman Sammie Szmodics. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Thomas Partey has been given the nod for Arsenal in their Premier League North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain have tied one of their teenage sensations down to a new contract amid suggestions that both Manchester clubs are interested in signing him. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that being denied a last-gasp winning goal against Aston Villa could prove to be "massive". 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly held talks with super agent Jorge Mendes. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay was forced off in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Burnley. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has received a triple fitness boost ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has an untimely injury crisis to work around for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Having both doused English hopes of Champions League stardom, German giants Bayern Munich and Spanish titans Real Madrid clash in the first leg of a mouthwatering semi-final at Allianz Arena on Tuesday night. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pendikspor vs. Kayserispor (Sunday, 2.00pm) Both Pendikspor and Kayserispor will be looking to boost their survival hopes when they meet at Pendik Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portimonense vs. Moreirense (Sunday, 3.30pm) The action continues in round 31 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga as Portimonense and Moreirense go head-to-head at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Sunday. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nijmegen vs. AZ (Sunday, 11.15am) Off the back of a first defeat in five matches last time out, NEC entertain the challenge of AZ Alkmaar at Stadion de Goffert on Sunday afternoon. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cadiz vs. Mallorca (Sunday, 1.00pm) Nuevo Mirandilla will play host to a huge La Liga clash on Sunday afternoon, with two clubs battling to stay in Spain's top flight, Cadiz and Mallorca, locking horns. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Milan vs. Torino (Sunday, 11.30am) Crowned Serie A champions with five games to spare, Inter Milan will continue their title celebrations on Sunday, when mid-table Torino visit San Siro. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Metz vs. Lille (Sunday, 12.00pm) Looking to extend their winning run in the top flight to three matches, Metz will welcome Champions League-chasing Lille to Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Mirren vs. Rangers (Sunday, 12.30pm) The second phase of the Scottish Premiership will kickstart this weekend with St Mirren hosting Rangers. 28 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Spurs vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 2.00pm) Looking to take the next step towards their first Premier League title in two decades, Arsenal will make the short trip across the capital to face fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby on Sunday afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have apparently been handed a significant boost in their hopes of signing Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who would welcome a switch to Old Trafford. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal reportedly hope to bring three or four new statement signings to the club this summer as part of another lavish spending spree. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka will be bidding to emulate an achievement last managed by Ian Wright when the Gunners tackle Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's Premier League North London derby. 27 April 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea saw a last-gasp winner ruled out but nevertheless completed an impressive comeback to hold Aston Villa to a 2-2 Premier League draw at Villa Park.