Diriyah enter Mohamed Salah battle as Saudi Pro League newcomers track stalled Besiktas move

Diriyah have become the latest Saudi club to express an interest in signing former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, with the newly promoted side monitoring his situation amid a pause in talks with Besiktas.

Salah left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years at Anfield and has since been linked with a series of clubs in the Saudi Pro League, including Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Nassr, Al Ahli and Al Qadsiah.

According to Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Diriyah have now joined the list of potential destinations for the Egypt international. The Riyadh-based club have just been promoted from the second-tier First Division League, known as the Yelo League, to the top-flight Roshn Saudi League.

Sabuncuoglu said on his YouTube channel that Diriyah, along with another unnamed Saudi Pro League club, are closely following developments around Salah’s future and are ready to move if his proposed transfer to Besiktas collapses.

Besiktas still seen as frontrunners

Salah has been in advanced negotiations with Besiktas, but those talks have recently stalled due to disagreements over certain contractual clauses, particularly issues relating to his agent Ramy Abbas.

Despite the deadlock, Sabuncuoglu stressed that Besiktas remain in the strongest position to complete a deal for the 32-year-old, largely because the Turkish club are currently offering the most lucrative financial package.

He added that, alongside the interest from Saudi Arabia and Besiktas, two clubs from Major League Soccer in the United States are also in discussions over a potential move for Salah.

However, the journalist maintained that Besiktas still lead the race at this stage, with Diriyah and another Saudi side effectively on standby should the Turkish negotiations break down.

Salah’s status after Liverpool exit

Salah’s departure from Liverpool brought an end to a hugely successful spell on Merseyside, where he became one of the club’s modern greats and one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.

During his time at Anfield, the former Chelsea and Roma winger collected a significant haul of team honours. He won the Premier League title twice and lifted the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup once each.

The Egypt captain also amassed a long list of individual awards over his nine seasons with Liverpool, reflecting his status as one of the standout players in both English and European football during that period.

With his future yet to be resolved following his Liverpool exit, the growing interest from Besiktas, Diriyah, another Saudi Pro League club and two MLS sides underlines Salah’s continued appeal on the global transfer market.

Diriyah’s emergence as a suitor adds an unexpected twist to the competition for his signature, particularly given the club’s recent promotion from the Yelo League to the Roshn Saudi League and their ambition to establish themselves quickly at the top level.