Saudi Pro League director Michael Emenalo has confirmed that they will only resume their pursuit of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah if the Egyptian star expresses his desire to move to the Saudi Pro League immediately. Salah was a top target for the division, and Al Ittihad made a verbal offer of £150m to Liverpool during the summer transfer window. However, the offer was rejected by Liverpool, prompting Emenalo to reconsider the pursuit of Salah. Despite the Saudi chiefs indicating a willingness to spend over £200m and make Salah the most expensive player in history, Liverpool held firm and refused to part ways with the Egyptian.
Emenalo told Sky Sports News, “Mo Salah, like [Lionel] Messi, [Karim] Benzema, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, these are players that when there is a sense of availability for them, we are willing to listen. But we also understand that Mo is happy where he is at present and in a historic, wonderful club at Liverpool. We respect that very much and we don’t want to come across as putting any pressure on him. But if there is any interest to do something, Mo Salah is a player that you want in your league, in any league.”
On the prospects of a January transfer, Emenalo added, “We respect Liverpool and in this scenario, the initiative to do anything won’t come from us. There has to be an aligned interest from all parties involved. It’s a very personal thing, as a player that I recruited [for Chelsea] and I like. There’s nothing I’m saying that is new or ground-breaking – that a player of this level of talent is available and your league wants him. If Mo Salah is available, has an interest to come and everything is aligned, I would be incredibly delighted.”
Salah will enter the final 18 months of his contract in January and will turn 32 at the end of the current campaign. Saudi Pro League is keeping a close eye on Salah’s situation and is open to the possibility of making a move if the circumstances are right. However, they are respectful of Liverpool’s position and will not pursue the Egyptian forward without an aligned interest from all parties involved.
It remains to be seen if Mohamed Salah will seek a new challenge in the Saudi Pro League or if he will continue to shine for Liverpool in the Premier League. The Egyptian forward has been a prolific goalscorer for the Reds and has been an integral part of their recent success. As his contract nears its expiration, the speculation surrounding his future is likely to intensify, but for now, Salah remains focused on performing for Liverpool and helping the team achieve its goals.
