2 days ago
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Saudi Arabian clubs are already formulating a strategy for a spectacular swoop for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward only penned fresh terms with the Reds during the summer, extending his stay until 2027.
However, Salah's Anfield future has been thrown into fresh uncertainty following his omission from Arne Slot's starting XI in Liverpool's previous two fixtures. This development has prompted former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp to suggest that Salah might consider departing the club if circumstances don't change.
Naturally, any transfer would need to wait until the January window opens, though clubs have already begun to be linked with the forward. Inevitably, there are murmurs surrounding Saudi Arabia, and it seems Middle Eastern clubs are already formulating potential strategies.
According to The Telegraph, the Saudi Pro League are positioned to bankroll a move for Salah should he indicate a wish to depart Liverpool. It's understood that prior discussions held in 2023 concerning a switch to Al-Ittihad could prove pivotal in any prospective move to the Middle East.
"I thought there was a good opportunity to join the Saudi Pro League," Salah previously said about a potential move to Saudi. "I believed I might go there if I didn't renew my contract with Liverpool
"My relationship with people there [in Saudi Arabia] is still good and ongoing. There were serious negotiations to sign me."
Several Saudi clubs operating under the Public Investment Fund umbrella have already reduced their expenditure, though fresh capital remains accessible.
Certain players who relocated to the Gulf state during the initial wave of investment are approaching the end of their contracts and are anticipated to depart, potentially paving the way for more substantial deals.
Redknapp has previously endorsed Salah's potential move to Saudi Arabia in the near future. He remarked: "I'll be amazed if he sees out the last two years of his contract, or year and a half. I don't think this helps the situation one bit.
"Nothing will surprise me in football - whether it's in January or maybe in the summer If the right club was to come around... a lot will be decided by this man.
"He's earned that right. And if he says: 'Look, if I'm not going to be a starter for you, I'm not one of those players who is going to hang around.
"I still feel he will want to play in Europe. The first thing we're all going to say is he'll go to Saudi - he's obviously a legend in that part of the world - or he'll want to go to the US, but this for me now is a real breaking point in the relationship."
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