Amid growing speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah's future at Liverpool, a prominent Saudi club chief has urged teams in the Saudi Pro League to reconsider pursuing the Egyptian star, suggesting he may not be the right fit for the league. This comes as rumors intensify about a potential January move for Salah, fueled by recent events at Liverpool.
Ben Harburg, chairman of Al-Kholood, stated on Wednesday that Saudi clubs should instead focus on acquiring younger talents, such as Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. This perspective offers a contrasting view to the widely reported interest from Saudi clubs in securing Salah's services.
Salah's future at Liverpool has become increasingly uncertain after he was left out of the squad for their Champions League match against Inter Milan on Tuesday. This decision followed public criticism of Liverpool manager Arne Slot after Salah was left on the bench for the third consecutive game. Salah, 33, expressed his dissatisfaction after a 3-3 draw with Leeds, stating he felt "thrown under the bus" by Liverpool and that his relationship with Slot had deteriorated.
These comments have reportedly piqued the interest of Saudi Arabian clubs, with a source from the Kingdom's Public Investment Fund (PIF) telling AFP they would do "whatever it can" to acquire him. The PIF, which holds a 75 percent share in leading Saudi clubs including Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad, is reportedly prepared to make a move in January to bring Salah to the Saudi Pro League.
Despite the strong interest from some Saudi quarters, Harburg's comments suggest a divergence in opinion regarding Salah's suitability for the league. His argument centers around the idea of targeting younger players who can contribute to the league's long-term growth.
Adding to the uncertainty, Liverpool manager Arne Slot responded to questions about Salah's future by saying, "I have no clue" when asked if Salah had played his last game for the Reds. He also stated that while Salah has the right to his feelings, he "doesn't have the right to share it with the media".
The situation is further complicated by Salah's impending departure for the Africa Cup of Nations after Liverpool's next match against Brighton. A "senior figure" from the Saudi Pro League has confidently stated that Salah will eventually play in Saudi Arabia, whether in January, the next market, or next summer. Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal are considered frontrunners.
Some reports suggest that Liverpool may consider selling Salah to save on wages, as he earns around £21 million ($27 million) per year. With 18 months left on his contract, Liverpool could potentially save over $40 million in wages if they were to sell him. It has been speculated that Liverpool could try to cash in on Mohamed Salah if possible, in order to save a fortune in wages over the next 18 months.
While the Saudi Pro League has successfully attracted stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante, the pursuit of Salah remains a complex issue with differing opinions on his fit and value to the league. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Salah remains at Liverpool or embarks on a new chapter in his career in Saudi Arabia.
