Mohamed Salah: Peter Crouch says longer Saudi transfer window 'doesn't seem fair' as Liverpool fight to keep Egyptian
/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/placeholder/tnt_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 02/09/2023 at 13:13 GMT+1
TNT Sports pundit Peter Crouch spoke on the excitement of transfer deadline day, but pointed out that the Saudi Pro League's window remains open and that puts clubs like Liverpool at a major disadvantage. The Reds have so far resisted lucrative offers from the Saudi league for their talismanic forward, but if Salah does get his move, Liverpool would be incapable of bringing in a replacement.
Crouch: Later Saudi transfer deadline 'unfair' for luring 'irreplaceable' Salah
TNT Sports pundit Peter Crouch believes the Saudi Pro League having a transfer window that remains open after windows of the major European leagues close is "unfair".
Mohamed Salah has been the subject of attention from the Saudi Pro League and, while Liverpool have so far managed to resist those bids, the Saudi transfer window remains open, with FIFA stating their deadline as September 20.
Crouch explained live on TNT Sports ahead of the game between Sheffield United and Everton: "It's incredibly important [for Liverpool that he stays], but it just doesn't seem fair.
"I think Jurgen Klopp touched on it. The fact that they're able to come in for a player like Mo Salah that's integral to what Liverpool do and Liverpool aren't able to replace him. It does feel somewhat unfair.
"Liverpool will want to keep him. He's a 25, 30 goal a season man and you can't replace that. The fact that the window's shut proves that you can't."
Liverpool's business was not just holding on to Salah, they also spent heavily themselves on a midfield rebuild, including the deadline-day acquisition of Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich.
Crouch said: "Gravenbech is a great signing. But I do wonder, how will Curtis Jones be feeling? Gravenberch, he's a top player. It's exciting, he's a big name."
Despite praising the signing of the Dutch international, Crouch was not entirely positive on Liverpool's work in the window.
He said: "I don't think it was the best window. They were in for players and weren't able to get them and had to go for second-choice players. "
The ability of clubs outside the traditional elite to attract top-level talent was reflected in Brighton's loan signing of Barcelona forward Ansu Fati.
For Crouch, that deal showed just how attractive the Premier League has become.
He said: "Incredible. For a player of his calibre, a worldwide name to come to Brighton it just shows where they are. It shows where the Premier League is as well. He's got the opportunity to come here and showcase himself in the Premier League. It's a good opportunity for him to prove how good he is."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2023/03/29/3671412-74737168-2560-1440.jpg)
'It's quite a surprising move' - Pundits discuss Fati's proposed transfer from Barcelona to Brighton
The huge worldwide audience for the English top flight is also a factor in helping convince players like Fati to make the move, as Crouch explained.
He said: "For certain players, they can showcase themselves in the Premier League and then perhaps move on to bigger and better things."
Crouch, having experienced many deadline days as a player, admitted that even players get caught up in the excitement.
He said: "It's become kind of Hollywood now, deadline day. We all sit around and enjoy it. It's the same for players. You hear rumours of all these top players coming in. It's just the same for the fans as it is for the players."
The Premier League's spending eventually reached a record £2.36 billion, £440 million more than last summer.
According to Deloitte analysis published by the BBC, England's top flight accounted for nearly half of all transfer spending across Europe's top five leagues.
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement