Liverpool face new pressure to tie down Mohamed Salah as Al Hilal reportedly target the Egyptian following Neymar's departure. The 32-year-old is into the final few months of his contract at Anfield with the threat that the Reds could lose their record-breaking attacker.

Reports suggest that the Saudi club are now in the market for a new marquee signing ahead of the new-look Club World Cup, which gets underway in the summer. According to Ben Jacobs, Salah is the primary target for the club.

On Monday, Neymar's contract with the Saudi Pro League leaders was mutually terminated, with the former Barcelona star set to return to boyhood club Santos. The 32-year-old joined Al-Hilal on a two-year deal from Paris Saint-Germain for 90m euros (£77.6m) in August 2023.

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The decision to relieve the Brazilian of his contractual duties allowed Al Hilal to reinvest funds that would have been used on the attacker's contract. And Jacobs tweeted: "Al-Hilal now free up significant budget due to Neymar's termination. A big drive is expected to find a new marquee star in time for the Club World Cup.

"Saudi Pro League set to take FIFA up on the exceptional window between 1-10 June in order to sign players ahead of the tournament.

"Mo Salah is still Hilal's number one target as Jorge Jesus wants a right-sided attacker. However, Saudi dealmakers also respectful of Salah's negotiations with Liverpool and his decision-making process.

"SPL sporting director Michael Emenalo has a strong relationship with Salah and the financials on offer already outlined from the approach on behalf of Al-Ittihad in 2023.

"If given any encouragement to bid, Saudi will make Salah a new offer that will see him become the best-paid player in the league. SPL executives feel Salah arriving will boost the TV revenue when the next cycle is sold this summer. And there is an idea to sell Egypt-specifc rights rather than a MENA wide package.

"#LFC are still optimistic Salah will instead extend even though parties are yet to reach an agreement. Late last year, the feeling within Liverpool was Salah talks would take some time, so no surprise January hasn't yet brought clarity.

"No doubt Al-Hilal will push for another star, whether Salah or another big name, ahead of the Club World Cup."

Over the weekend, reports in Egypt claimed that Salah had rejected a fresh contract approach from Liverpool. Egyptian outlet Masrawy said that the Reds are concerned about offering the attacker a multi-year deal on similar terms to the one that he is currently on.

Reports suggest that they would only be willing to give him two or three years if he agrees to take a significant pay cut.