Alisson targeted for Mane reunion as Saudi chiefs use Firmino transfer tactic
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is being targeted by Saudi club Al-Nassr.
The 30-year-old Brazilian is the fourth Anfield star in the crosshairs of the cash-rich Pro League after successful raids for Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino with jaw-dropping contracts. Another ex-Red, Sadio Mane, is already at Al-Nassr, while Cristiano Ronaldo linked up with the club last season following his fallout with Manchester United.
Liverpool have not had any bids or approaches for their Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup-winning keeper. He continues to be not for sale - nor has Alisson expressed any desire to them to leave.
But Al-Nassr reckon they can come up with an offer that both club and player find hard to refuse. They also believe they can capitalise on Alisson’s relationship with Firmino in particular, to tempt the 6ft 4in stopper out to Saudi Arabia with yet another monster pay-packet for a top-flight player.
The two Brazilians’ wives are understood to be friendly with positive first impressions from players’ wives in the Middle East resonating favourably with others back in England. Al-Nassr have been keen to land Alisson’s superstar quality to replace current Saudi Arabian international Nawaf Al-Aqidi, 23, even before Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq.
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Firmino scored a hat-trick on his debut for Al-Ahli last Friday while Alisson helped Liverpool to an opening weekend draw at Chelsea last Sunday. Losing him would destabilise Liverpool’s plans to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title before they even get off the ground.
Alisson has been an impressive mainstay for Liverpool with 232 appearances since joining Liverpool for £70m in 2018. He was vital last season in helping the club to a fifth placed finish after an uncharacteristically poor campaign. Boss Jurgen Klopp has already lost two of his main midfield targets to Chelsea in Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Meanwhile, Neymar is the latest star name to take his talents to the Saudi Arabian Pro League after completing a move to Al Hilal. The 31-year-old has joined from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal that could go up to £86.3m.
The Brazil forward add to the list of stars of world football to turn his back on a major European club, following the likes of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez, Ruben Neves, Mane and N’Golo Kante to the Middle East.
The move ends a six-year stay at PSG, who he joined from Barcelona for a world-record £200m fee in 2017. He leaves the Parc Des Princes having scored 118 goals in 173 matches and won five Ligue 1 titles. Neymar was left out of Luis Enrique’s squad for the opening league game of the season and did not feature in the Spaniard’s plans.
PSG chief executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi told the club’s official website: “It is always difficult to say goodbye to an amazing player like Neymar, one of the best players in the world
“I will never forget the day he arrived at Paris St Germain, and what he has contributed to our club and our project over the last six years. We had a great moment and Neymar will always be a big part of our history. I would like to thank Neymar and his family. We wish Neymar all the very best for the future and his next adventure.”
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