In the strange ‘Anti-Arsenal provision’ that was allegedly included to Roberto Firmino’s contract after the Brazilian forward moved from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to Liverpool in 2015, it is said that Arsenal was the target of the clause.
The history of the rivalry between Arsenal and Liverpool spans many years. Because of this, the Gunners once infuriated the owner of the Merseyside club, John W. Henry, after they made a £40,000,001 offer for Luis Suarez in 2013.
The Uruguayan’s £40 million release clause was something the Arsenal intended to activate. Suarez was one of Europe’s most productive strikers in the early 2010s. As a result, the primary owner of the six-time UEFA Champions League champions tweeted in response to the bid: “What do you think they’re smoking over there at the Emirates?”
Therefore, Liverpool added a “Anti-Arsenal clause” to the contract of their star striker, Roberto Firmino, in 2016. Le Soir, a Belgian tabloid, and Football Leaks, an investigative news organization, jointly revealed in 2016 that the Brazilian striker had an £83 million release clause. However, the report said that, aside from the Gunners, any team in the world could have triggered this release clause.Firmino opted to leave Anfield after seven years and sign a new contract with Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli on a free transfer.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been very active in the summer transfer window as they carry out their mission to rejuvenate their midfield. Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have left the Merseyside club. On the other hand, before the new season, they welcomed players like Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. As such, the Reds are already making an excellent start to the season with three wins in their first four Premier League matches.
However, according to a recent report from French magazine L’Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe is open to a move to Anfield next year. This is possible as Mohamed Salah can leave Liverpool to join Saudi Pro-League champions Al-Ittihad. However, Klopp was in no mood to discuss Salah’s potential transfer from the Reds.
In the summer of 2023, the Saudi Pro League team hoped to complete the signing of the Egyptian football star. The transfer won’t likely take place this year, though. The situation can be very different during the next summer transfer window.
