RB Leipzig’s Mohamed Simakan is reportedly set to join Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, despite links with a move to Liverpool on deadline day.
Liverpool are reportedly set to miss out on two of their rumoured defensive targets on deadline day, including a former Arne Slot star.
The Reds have been expected to reinforce their backline throughout the summer window, having seen Joel Matip leave the club at the end of his contract in June.
Long-serving captain Virgil van Dijk is also only contracted to the club for another season, and the Dutchman remained tight-lipped when asked about his future last weekend.
In addition, Joe Gomez has been linked with a move away in recent weeks, although the Englishman is likely to remain at Anfield beyond the 11pm deadline, while Ibrahima Konate has struggled with injuries during his time at Anfield.
A plethora of defensive targets have been tipped to make the move to Anfield and reinforce Slot’s backline before the end of the window, but according to Fabrizio Romano, two such names will not be donning the Reds strip.
© Imago
Earlier this week, it was claimed that the Reds were still interested in a late move for RB Leipzig‘s Mohamed Simakan, who quickly made a name for himself in Germany after leaving Strasbourg in 2021.
The Frenchman has recorded seven goals and 13 assists in 122 matches for the German giants, winning two DFB-Pokal crowns in the process, and Die Roten Bullen have him under contract until 2027.
However, Romano reports that Simakan is now on the brink of joining Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr, who were the only team to enter concrete talks with Leipzig over a deal for the centre-back.
Simakan has apparently agreed a five-year deal with Al-Nassr, who employ Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte and Alex Telles, and he will undergo his medical within 48 hours.
Leipzig have supposedly already secured a replacement for the outgoing Simakan, Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida, who was also believed to have been on Liverpool’s shortlist earlier in the window.
🚨🟡🔵 Mohamed Simakan to Al Nassr, here we go! Deal agreed on five year contract for CB to join from RB Leipzig with Geertruida as replacement.
Despite links with PL clubs, only Al Nassr in concrete talks with Leipzig as exclusively revealed two days ago.
Medical in 24/48h. pic.twitter.com/nmrPeBdjgv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2024
The 24-year-old – who can play as a right-back or centre-back – excelled in the Eredivisie under Slot during the 2023-24 season, registering eight goals and five assists in 34 league games for Feyenoord.
Arsenal and Aston Villa were also rumoured to have been tracking the Dutchman, but Slot will not be reuniting with his former Feyenoord protege, who will fill the Simakan void at Leipzig.
Will Liverpool sign anyone on deadline day?
As the clock ticks down to 11pm, Liverpool have only added Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa to their Anfield ranks, and the former will not officially leave Valencia until the end of next season.
However, Slot is not anticipating any new arrivals on Merseyside before the summer window slams shut, as the Reds aim for a third successive Premier League win under the Dutchman in Sunday’s Old Trafford clash with Manchester United.