Egypt are ready to make one last push to persuade Liverpool to release Mohamed Salah for the Olympics, according to the head of their football association Ahmed Megahed.
Salah was included in Egypt's provisional squad for the summer Games in Tokyo, with Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny joining him as overage players in Shawki Gharib's U23 set-up.
Liverpool have yet to give their consent for Salah to link up with his country, which would see him miss a large chunk of their pre-season campaign, but Megahed hasn't given up on securing his services just yet.
What's been said?
The Egyptian FA chief told ONTime Sports of the situation: "His position isn't clear yet, we will try one last time with Liverpool to let him participate.
"Mohamed wants to be in the Olympics, and we are working to make it happen."
Egypt manager's comments on Salah
Gharib explained his decision to call up Salah during an interview with Egyptian radio station On Sport FM in April.
"I need to use the benefit of choosing three players over the age of 23, and we have a player considered to be among the best three in the world, so I have to consider him," said the Egypt U23s head coach.
"Salah is a big star and all the players want him around."
The bigger picture
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp voiced his disapproval over Salah's potential participation in the Olympics before the Games were postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
It remains to be seen what the German's stance is one year later, but the Reds will surely be eager to ensure that a prized asset is ready for the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
The Tokyo Olympics are due to officially begin on July 23, but the football competition will kick off a day earlier and run until August 7.
The new Premier League season is scheduled to start one week later, meaning Salah would have little time to recover if he is given permission to join up with the Egypt squad.
Further reading
- Liverpool urged to sell Salah as they 'play better without him'
- Salah yet to discuss new Liverpool contract
- Salah and Elneny in provisional Egypt Olympic squad