Saudi League Chief Confirms Interest in Signing Mohamed Salah

The chief of the Saudi League has expressed interest in signing star player Mohamed Salah as the January transfer window approaches. This statement comes amidst ongoing discussions about Salah’s future at Liverpool. The forward recently extended his contract with the club for two more years in April 2023. However, speculation is rife regarding a potential move.

Saudi Interest in Mohamed Salah

Reports indicate that Saudi clubs have shown interest in Salah, with Al-Ittihad reportedly making a £150 million bid for him, which Liverpool rejected in September 2023. Although this interest has been known for some time, this is the first instance of a league official publically acknowledging Salah as a target.

Mixed Reactions from League Officials

Not all clubs in Saudi Arabia are keen on signing Salah. Ben Harburg, the chairman of Al-Kholood, labeled Salah as “a bad fit” for the league. He expressed a preference for younger players, specifically mentioning Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. as a more suitable option.

• Harburg cited concerns about Salah’s age (33 years) and performance, noting he has underperformed since his lucrative contract at Liverpool.
• He believes the league should pursue emerging talent rather than established stars nearing the end of their careers.

Legendary Insights from Steven Gerrard

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard weighed in on the situation, highlighting Salah’s emotional response after being benched. He described Salah’s recent comments about feeling “thrown under the bus” as hasty and urged the forward to address his concerns directly with the management.

Comparisons to Past Liverpool Incidents

Gerrard reminded fans of previous tensions within the team, likening Salah’s situation to that of Luis Suarez, who faced a similar issue while at Liverpool in 2013. Suarez managed to resolve his situation and continued playing before eventually transferring to FC Barcelona.

Current Performance and Future Outlook

Since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2017, Salah has been pivotal in securing two Premier League titles and a Champions League victory in 2019. However, his current performance has raised concerns, as he has only scored four goals in 13 Premier League matches this season. Liverpool is currently positioned 10th in the league, just three points from fourth place.

Looking ahead, Liverpool will host Brighton on Saturday, just two days before Salah departs to join the Egyptian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Gerrard emphasized the necessity for Salah to regain form, noting, “Liverpool Football Club needs Mo Salah back playing well and scoring goals, as he is their best player.”