Mo Salah could REPLACE Jota if Liverpool green light Al Ittihad transfer due to Saudi Pro League foreigner rule

There's been rampant talk of an instant exit from Al-Ittihad - and Middle-East sources claim Jurgen Klopp holds the key for Celtic hero Jota.

A £25m deal was struck earlier this summer as the winger joined a host of European stars making their way to the riches of the Saudi Pro League. But his stay with the The Tigers could be about to end temporarily as they flirt with the idea of sending him out on loan to Al Shabab and land another world superstar.

Having already signed Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho, Mo Salah is reportedly next on their radar. The Anfield legend's representatives have shut this down but established sources in Saudi Arabia are continuing to build hype around the deal, with journalist Walid Al-Faraj claiming Al Ittihad want to sign the Egyptian international and register him ahead of the import from Celtic on their foreign players list.

Having already lost three key Liverpool men to the middle-east though - Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho - it's claimed Klopp does not want to 'dispense' with another senior figure. Heavy pressure by Saudi officials are now being put on the German, as it's also claimed the Reds had a deal agreed in principle.

Klopp performing a transfer U-turn could spark a domino effect for Jota and an instant exit from Al-Ittihad, if rumours in the middle-east turn reality. Currently, clubs are allowed no more than eight foreigners in their ranks.

The limit has steadily risen over the last few seasons. It was once four with no goalkeepers from abroad being allowed, but the top flight is aiming to have 100 of the best foreign players in it within the next 5 years, according to Sky.