Liverpool are preparing to resist all offers for Mohamed Salah this summer.
An approach from Real Madrid is expected to be forthcoming as the Egypt international continues to enjoy a remarkable first year at Anfield.
He is currently on course to win the Premier League’s golden boot with 28 goals and has the best return of any Reds player in a debut campaign in modern times.
The European champions’ interest emerged when Zinedine Zidane admitted in December: “I don’t talk much about other players, but he is a player I rate a lot.”
Salah’s national coach Hector Cuper has also claimed that Real’s interest is genuine, promiting fears that the Reds could lose their current talisman.
But the Anfield hierarchy will not bow to demands from their European rivals after sanctioning Philippe Coutinho’s £142 million to Barcelona in January.
Club owners Fenway Sports Group are keen to ensure that Liverpool is seen increasingly as a final destination for elite players rather than a stop-gap.
Salah still has four years remaining on the contract he signed following a £36.9 million move from Roma just eight months ago.
Contrary to reports, there is no release clause in the 25-year-old’s existing deal.