Saudi Arabian football club Al-Ittihad has now upped its offer for Liverpool striker Mo Salah to £215 million, which will see him on wages of £2 million a week.

Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp has made it clear, Salah is not for sale and is very much part of his plan going forward.

Salah signed an improved contract last year, which see him on in excess of £350,000 pounds a week, making him the highest paid player in Liverpool’s history. It was a three-year extension.

The Egyptian striker has wisely stayed out of this battle to secure his services, not indicating whether he favours taking the money and playing his football in the desert, knowing he will be financially secure for life.

His former teammate and captain Jordon Henderson decided to take the Arab money and is now on £700,000 pounds a week, coached by his old mate, Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard. Henderson said he didn’t make the move for money and that coin doesn’t drive him. No one believes him.

Henderson championed the LGBT community in the UK. He won’t be able to do so in Saudi Arabia. The money they are paying him puts a gag in his mouth.

Salah is now 31 and has been a magnificent asset for Liverpool. He bangs in goals, is a team player and doesn’t get injured. He will be looking at this offer and saying to himself, my family will be set for life.

Money always talks.

Some athletes are born warriors and live to go up against the best. When they lay down to sleep, their consciousness is all about peak performance and the pursuit of glory. Players like Totti, Giggs, Shearer played for the badge and wanted to ply their trade against the best out there. They had high standards.

Is Salah that kind of man? Will he tell himself well, ‘Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country, shares my faith, I’m familiar with its customs. I’ve already proved myself in England, won the EPL and the Champions League, why don’t I take it easy? After all, many players are now signing on to the Saudi league, why not me’?

If you are 35 and over like Ronaldo, it makes sense. A racehorse sent out to pasture. Tax free, big money, less stress on the body, a nascent league.

The Saudis are taking this league seriously and are willing to acquire the world’s very best. Already they have snagged Ronaldo, Kante, Mane, Benzema, Neves, Neymar, Firmino, Fabinho, Laporte, Mahrez.

In this summer transfer window alone, the Saudi Pro League has spent a whopping £728 million, second only to the EPL. Chelsea has spent over £300 million in this window.

The EPL summer transfer window is now closed but don’t be surprised if the Arabs come knocking on the door for Salah again with an improved bid in the January transfer window.

With over £200 million on the table, there’s plenty Liverpool can do with that money. When Harry Kane left Spurs for Bayern Munich, many thought that Spurs were taking a backward step, there was no one there who could guarantee 30 goals a season.

Now Spurs are scoring for fun, looking good and there is no sign the “Lilywhites” are missing Harry.

Life goes on.

If the offer for Salah goes beyond £215 million, it would be prudent for Liverpool to take it and build its squad. It could also use some of that money to upgrade its facilities.

The push now is to get back in the Champions’ League and go toe-to-toe with Manchester City. So far Liverpool’s performances this season look promising.

Mo Salah can cement his legacy at Liverpool, one of the greatest football clubs in the world. He can be up there with the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keagan, John Barnes, Graeme Souness. He won’t be that in Saudi Arabia.

Other football leagues have risen over recent years – The Chinese League, MLS, now Arab League. None come close to the European leagues, no matter how much money they have. A footballer has to look into himself and ask what I am all about?

To me the game is about glory. If you can make a few quid along the way, well that’s not too bad. Good luck to you.

Me, I like to go up against the best. I want to do battle with the elites.

Would you take silly money to play in a silly league?