Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has revealed why he decided to snub a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League to stay at Anfield.
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Alisson revealed Saudi Pro League clubs were interestedWas tempted to move to the Middle EastCurrent Liverpool contract runs until 2027WHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazilian goalkeeper admitted that he received some big-money offers from the Saudi Pro League at the end of the 2023-24 season, however, he decided to stay at Anfield and honour his existing contract that runs until 2027. Alisson and Mohamed Salah were linked with moves to the Middle East in the ongoing summer transfer window, however, both players snubbed the approaches.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The 31-year-old also stated that he was initially tempted to make a move to Saudi Arabia after seeing the amount of money his peers were earning, but he eventually decided to stay on Merseyside as he felt this was not the right time to leave Europe.
WHAT ALISSON SAID
Speaking to The Telegraph, the Brazil international said: "I have a contract and I want to honour my contract and finish my contract here or make a new one. I am really happy here. My family is happy. I never got to the point where I was talking about wages and things like this [with the Saudis]. It was just interest. But when you hear about the numbers the other players are getting you are a little bit attracted. That is normal.
"At the end of the day, you play football for love. It is the thing you like to do, but it is our profession and we want to use the years that we have to make the most of it. I think I am open to that personally, but not now. Now is not the time. I am really focused on the things we have here at Liverpool and while I still have my contract here, I will be focused here. If it is in the interest of the club to negotiate [for] me, then it will be a different conversation. At this time, at this window that we have, I am focused on my job here and my life in Liverpool."
He added, "I never thought about leaving. I had always decided to stay. As I said before, I have two years plus one – the club’s choice – to stay here at Liverpool. So I will not leave now and I never thought about that. When the interest from Saudi came, I cannot close the door on a big deal.
"But my decision was always to stay and focus on the things we can achieve, this new beginning and this new start, and I am really excited about that. We are starting fresh with new energy and looking forward to what this season will bring for us."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
After making a winning start to their Premier League campaign last week, the Reds will be back in action on Sunday as they take on Brentford at Anfield.
