Saudi Arabian Official Confirms Interest In Mohammed Salah (1 Viewer)

[MartinGee]

A marketing chief from the Saudi Pro League has stated that teams in the region should begin preparations for the potential acquisition of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah. The 31-year-old's future has faced uncertainty in recent years, particularly when he expressed openness to joining Real Madrid or Barcelona in 2021.

Salah's comments had put both Spanish giants on high alert, but he ultimately reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool until 2025 last summer. As Salah approaches the final two years of his current contract, speculations of a move to Paris Saint-Germain emerged this summer. However, it is currently deemed unlikely that he will depart from Liverpool.

Ramy Abbas Issa, Salah's agent, refuted recent reports suggesting that his client had met with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Issa had previously dismissed baseless rumors of an imminent departure from Anfield for the Egyptian attacker. Nevertheless, Hafez Al-Medlej, the head of the AFC Marketing Committee, acknowledged Salah's appeal to the Saudi Pro League. He also acknowledged that Salah may prefer to continue achieving records at Liverpool before considering any potential offers.

During an interview with Koura, Al-Medlej addressed the perception that Saudi teams exclusively target players in the later stages of their careers, stating:

"That speech is false. We do not hire players who are already finished.

"Al Hilal is going to sign Ruben Neves, who is 26 years old and who Barcelona wanted. And [Karim] Benzema has already arrived at Al Ittihad after being crowned the Ballon d'Or with Real Madrid, who is faced with the dilemma of replacing him.

"We are only living the beginning. All transferable footballers will from now on be targeted by Saudi clubs. In Arabia we have a state project and it will not be limited to four great teams, but to all of them. Because the passion for football of the Saudis has no limits.

"We must also start working on the signing of Mohamed Salah, since he is overwhelmingly popular in the Arab world and in Europe. I think Salah still has records to break with Liverpool, so I hope that if he doesn't come now he will in the future."

Several renowned players have recently signed contracts with Saudi Arabian clubs, including Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante. In addition, Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly, former Chelsea teammates of Kante, are expected to join them in the Middle East.

There is also interest from multiple Saudi Pro League teams in Arsenal's Thomas Partey. However, it appears that Mohamed Salah will continue representing Liverpool, following an exceptional season under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp.

During the previous season, the former Chelsea and Roma player scored 30 goals and provided 16 assists in 51 matches. This impressive performance brought his total tally for Liverpool to 186 goals and 79 assists in 305 appearances.

Salah surpassed Robbie Fowler as Liverpool's highest scorer in the Premier League during their dominant 7-0 victory over Manchester United. He currently shares the fifth spot in the Reds' all-time scoring charts with Steven Gerrard.

Furthermore, Salah achieved a personal milestone by scoring his 100th goal at Anfield with a solitary strike against Brentford in May. In the 2022-23 Premier League season, he was one of only two players, alongside Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, to reach double figures in both goals and assists.