Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah has become the latest point of interest in Saudi Arabia, with reports emerging today of Al-Ittihad’s desire to capture the Egyptians' signature this summer.
A report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed the news, stating the club’s “concrete interest” in the 31-year-old, with the club prepared to make an approach for the forward.
🚨 Al-Ittihad have a concrete interest in signing Mohamed Salah from Liverpool. Saudi Pro League club making a renewed attempt to recruit 31yo Egypt international forward. Unclear at this stage if a move will materialise @TheAthleticFC #LFC #AlIttihad #SPL https://t.co/1SVO8kgxo1
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 24, 2023
Despite Salah signing a new deal with Liverpool last year, it’s believed that the Saudi Pro League side have “growing optimism” that they could tempt the Premier League whiz away from Merseyside earlier than their initial plan of 2024. Speaking earlier this month, Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas relayed the stance that the Egyptian would not be leaving Anfield anytime soon, saying:
“If we considered leaving Liverpool this year, we wouldn’t have renewed the contract last summer. Mohamed remains committed to Liverpool.”
The devastating forward penned a new deal that took his earnings to a reported £350,000 a week at Liverpool, with a lucrative offer from Al-Ittihad expected to knock such figures out of the park in the bid to lure him away from England.
How much could Salah earn in Saudi Arabia?
News in Italy relayed by Football 365 has speculated that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side could be willing to offer €100m (£85.6m) for Jurgen Klopp’s star man, in a package that could reportedly see the 31-year-old earn a figure of €200m over three years.
While the figures remain as speculation, one area that has not been speculated is Liverpool’s stance on the winger’s future on Merseyside, with Ornstein following up his initial report of the interest with the Reds’ response that the Egypt international is not for sale.
Salah’s former teammate Dejan Lovren was quick to respond to a tweet relaying rumours that the £350k-per-week star wanted to leave, posting a candid yet clear response regarding his thoughts on the matter, through a GIF that said “stop lying”.
— Dejan Lovren (@Dejan06Lovren) August 24, 2023
Many players are opting to move for the millions on offer in Saudi Arabia, with Karim Benzema being one of the names already at Al-Ittihad, who desperately want to team the Frenchman up with the Liverpool star.
Would Salah join Al-Ittihad?
While the money and lifestyle is understandably admired, the level of football is far from what is on offer in Europe, with the competition being incomparable to the magic and thrill of the Premier League, in which Salah is a monstrous part of.
After seeing the likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino already leave Anfield for Saudi Arabia, it’s highly unlikely that the Reds would sanction a move for their best player, who will undoubtedly play a fundamental part for them in the 2023/24 campaign.
With 144 goal contributions in 220 Premier League appearances for Liverpool, it’s difficult to imagine just where Klopp’s side would be without the Egyptians influence, and similarly where Salah would be without Liverpool, who gave him a shot at redemption in England following his spell at Chelsea.
Had last year’s deal not been penned, there may be more of a debate regarding where Salah could be playing his football this season, however considering his commitment and importance to his side, it’s highly unlikely that a move to Saudi will be sanctioned by either player or club.
