Salah to Saudi Pro League? Latest reports add fuel to rumours

Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah has found himself at the centre of speculation about a potential move to Saudi Arabia as uncertainty looms about his future at Liverpool.  

The forward’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, leaving fans and pundits questioning his next move. 

The rumours intensified after Saudi sports chief Turki Al-Alsheikh, a central figure in the kingdom’s sports and entertainment industries, posted a digitally altered image of Salah wearing an Al-Hilal kit to his 15 million Facebook followers on Wednesday.  

While this post in no way confirms that Salah is on his way to Riyadh, it has reignited talk of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing ambition to bring the probably the biggest Arab sporting icon to their league. 

Last year, Al Alsheikh claimed Salah was close to joining the Saudi Pro League before Liverpool intervened.

Speaking on the MMA Hour podcast, he said: “I don’t have information [this year], but I have information last year. He was [going to] accept, but Liverpool changed their mind in the last second. He was [going to] accept, and I think this is one of the problem[s] what he have this year with his team.”

Al-Hilal, a club owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), is prepared to offer Salah a lucrative two-year contract worth £65 million if he leaves Liverpool, according to a report by The Sun.

The report follows speculation that Saudi officials were planning another approach after Liverpool reportedly rejected a £150 million bid from Al-Ittihad in September 2023. 

Meanwhile, French outlet L’Équipe has also suggested that Al-Hilal are intensifying their pursuit of the 32-year-old forward.  

The reigning Saudi Pro League champions, who boast players like Neymar, Rúben Neves, and Aleksandar Mitrović, are said to be long-time admirers of Salah and are seen as a strong contender for his signature alongside PSG. 

Al-Hilal’s interest coincides with reports that Neymar may leave the club at the end of the season due to recurring injuries, potentially freeing up a foreign player slot for Salah.

Despite this, no formal offer has been tabled, although Salah has hinted in recent months that his time at Anfield may be nearing its end. 

Speaking to Sky Sports, he openly declared: “This is my last year.” 

Back in November, Salah surprised many by publicly criticising the club’s lack of progress in offering him a new deal.  

After scoring twice in a thrilling 3-2 win against Southampton, Salah candidly told reporters: “We are almost in December, and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club. I’m probably more out than in. You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end, it is not in my hands.”

The Egyptian star also reaffirmed his love for Liverpool’s fans, adding: “I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end, it is not in my hands or the fans’ hands.”

Despite the ongoing contract uncertainty, Salah has been in outstanding form this season, recording 18 goals and 13 assists in 20 Premier League appearances, helping Liverpool maintain their position at the top of the table.