Alisson Becker moves closer to agreeing shock £179k per week deal

Liverpool successfully fought off interest in Alisson Becker from Juventus earlier this summer.

Juve coach Luciano Spalletti wanted a reunion with the goalkeeper - who he worked with at Roma during the 2016/17 season.

The Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes managed to exercise a one-year option in Alisson’s deal - stretching his time at the club to 2027.

And although the Brazil No1 was reported to be interested in a return to Italy no deal was concluded. It has been expected ever since that the 33-year-old would remain at Anfield and see out his contract.

Al-Ittihad make tempting offer to Alisson

Until now.

Because a prominent journalist in Saudi Arabia - Mohamed Bukairy - claims a deal is close that would see Alisson join Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.

“Al-Ittihad Club's management is close to signing Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker, the guardian of Liverpool's den and the Samba national team,” he writes on X.

“Our reliable sources reported that the Dean of Saudi Clubs has submitted a tempting offer to the Brazilian goalkeeper, exceeding (11) million euros annually.

“The same sources also indicated that what most concerns Al-Ittihad fans in this deal right now is the competition from their brother club Al-Diriyah, newly promoted to the Professional League, to snag Alisson's gloves.”

Saudi deal would be a pay rise for Alisson

Alisson is reported to be making around £150k per week on Merseyside - meaning the Saudi package would be a slight pay rise in gross terms to around £179k per week.

Factor in the Saudi tax regulations and you can see why this may be a tempting deal for the South American.

Giorgi Mamardashvili spent plenty of time on the pitch last season deputising for Alisson - who is missing far too many matches through injury.

Liverpool losing too many leaders

Even if a deal with Alisson is agreed between Al-Ittihad - or Al-Diriyah for that matter - suitors would still need the consent of Liverpool.

The Reds are unlikely to look favourably on a deal considering they have already lost experience in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate this summer.

It would take a very tempting package to convince Richard Hughes to sell - and even so - the outgoing Premier League champions would need to go into the market for a top goalkeeper.