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Omar Mugharbel, Chief Executive for the Saudi Pro League (SPL), has confirmed that the division’s top clubs are keen on signing Mohamed Salah.
The Liverpool winger’s future has become increasingly uncertain following his extraordinary comments in the wake of the Reds’ 3-3 draw against Leeds United on Saturday. Salah, who has been named as a substitute in the last three Premier League matches, claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club, and implied he could be set to leave Liverpool soon.
Given the previous interest from the SPL, reports immediately emerged that a move to Saudi Arabia could be on the cards for Salah in January.
Speaking at the World Football Summit in Riyadh, Mugharbel confirmed the 33-year-old’s acquisition remains a possibility.
“Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players,” he told BBC Sport. “For sure, Salah is one of them [a target].”
Salah has previously indicated he spoke with Saudi clubs last season when his contract with Liverpool was expiring.
He subsequently penned an extension at Anfield, but his form and goal output has dropped significantly this season. That led to his omission from the side and the ensuing outburst at Elland Road.
Salah remained in Merseyside on Tuesday as Liverpool beat Inter Milan in a crucial Champions League encounter. His involvement in this weekend’s game against Brighton & Albion remains in doubt.
Arne Slot will provide an update in Friday’s press conference. The game is Salah’s last before he teams up with the Egyptian squad at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Given the tournament runs until January 18, if Salah were to depart Liverpool in the winter transfer window, it would mean he has played his final match for the club.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) owns a controlling stake in four SPL clubs: Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr.
Hence, the league's capacity to be keen on signing Salah. One presumes which club he would join is a secondary matter, although Al-Hilal have been most strongly linked.
Meanwhile, PIF has communicated that it will do “whatever it can” to sign Salah in January, given his status as perhaps the world’s most high-profile Arab and Muslim soccer player.
“We follow Salah’s position thoroughly and believe there can be a move either by loan or buying his contract,” a PIF representative told Al Jazeera.
“There is still no direct negotiations or talks with the club at the moment but there will be a move at the right moment.
“There is a competition inside the Saudi league who will bring Salah Aramco’s Al-Qadsiah has shown an interest, too. So it’s not only the PIF-affiliated clubs.”
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