This comes as King Salman rejects the existence of any link between Mohammed bin Salman and the case of Jamal Khashoggi.
Reuters quoted the sources as saying that dozens of princes were heading for a change of power, but they would not do so as long as King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, 82, was alive as "unlikely to turn against his spoiled son."
The sources said that the possibility of inauguration of Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz, 76, brother of King Salman, is being discussed, especially as he expects to receive support from the Al Saud family, the security services and Western powers.
Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz had been deputy minister of interior for 40 years, and returned to Saudi Arabia after the murder of Khashoggi. One of three opponents, from the Allegiance Commission, was to appoint bin Salman as crown prince mid-last year.
