In a big move, Liverpool turned down a colossal £150 million offer for their Egyptian ace, Mohamed Salah, from Saudi Arabia Pro League side Al-Ittihad. The club's firm stance on retaining Salah came to light following a verbal offer made last Friday, according to sources close to the PA news agency. Liverpool swiftly rejected the £100 million upfront offer, along with an additional £50 million in add-ons, making it clear that their forward is not on the market.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Brighton pulled off a stunning loan deal by signing 20-year-old Barcelona forward Ansu Fati for the season. Brighton's head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, was delighted, stating on the club’s website: "This is a great deal for all of us. I am sure Ansu will help us to reach a new target, and we can help him get back to the level he deserves to be."
Fati, a product of Barcelona's famed academy, has already made his mark in both LaLiga and the Champions League as the Catalan club's youngest goalscorer. Last season, he featured in 36 LaLiga games under Barcelona's coach Xavi and contributed to their title win.
In other Premier League news, top clubs Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United were all active in early transfer window dealings. City finalized a £53 million club-record move for 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 21-year-old Tommy Doyle will head in the opposite direction, joining Wolves on a season-long loan with an option for permanency next summer.
Chelsea welcomed Manchester City academy product Cole Palmer with a seven-year contract. "The PA news agency understands Chelsea will pay an initial £40 million for the 21-year-old with an additional £2.5 million in possible add-ons."
Meanwhile, Manchester United confirmed their second goalkeeping signing of the summer, bringing in 25-year-old Turkish international Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce. Bayindir expressed his excitement: "It is a huge honour to join Manchester United and become the first Turkish player to represent this incredible club."
In further Premier League action, Nottingham Forest signed Arsenal's Nuno Tavares on a season-long loan. Aston Villa acquired French defender Clement Lenglet, also on a season-long loan from Barcelona.
As the transfer window reached its deadline, these significant moves are set to reshape the Premier League landscape for the 2023-2024 season, raising the stakes and expectations for clubs and fans alike.
(With inputs from Opta, powered by AI)
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