Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has emerged as one of the leading transfer targets for Saudi Professional League clubs ahead of next season, alongside Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.
The growing interest has reignited debate over whether the Egyptian forward would be a perfect fit for the league or an ill-suited acquisition.
According to The Telegraph, Saudi clubs made enquiries about the possibility of signing Salah during the current winter transfer window, which closes on February 2, but were met with no positive response. The report suggests that while there was genuine interest, a deal at this stage proved unrealistic.
Questions now surround Salah’s long-term future in Europe, particularly as the 33-year-old approaches a decisive phase of his career. Should he choose to end his time at Liverpool at the close of the season, Saudi clubs are expected to return with renewed and more lucrative offers, especially as contract renewal talks involving other global stars such as Vinicius Junior have reportedly stalled.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation is understood to be among the parties most keen on securing Salah’s signature, having previously attempted to sign him two years ago. However, The Telegraph notes that financial and squad constraints currently limit their ability to complete such a deal.
The report also indicates that several high-profile names, including Fabinho, N’Golo Kanté and potentially 38-year-old Karim Benzema, could depart, creating room for new marquee signings.
A senior Saudi league source told The Telegraph, “The contracts of some very important players expire in June 2026, and the league will invest in new stars like Salah. I think if the deal goes through, it will be in the summer, not now.” The source added that confidence remains high, particularly given how close the league came to finalising a move before Salah opted to renew his Liverpool contract last season.
Saudi interest has reportedly been strengthened by what has been described as a challenging campaign for Salah, during which he claimed he was “sacrificed” and made a scapegoat after being dropped amid a dip in Liverpool’s form. This context has fuelled belief that a fresh challenge could appeal to the Egyptian forward.
These views align with comments from Francesca Petriccione, a legal and strategic advisor to Italian, Premier League and La Liga clubs, and a specialist in the Saudi market. Speaking to Sky Sports News, she described Salah as a special case despite the league’s recent shift towards younger talents.
“Yes, absolutely. The technical contribution and global exposure that Mohamed Salah can bring to the Saudi league is incredible,” she said.
Petriccione added, “But we are now at a more mature stage, and it’s not about footballers moving to Saudi Arabia for the money and then leaving. It’s about the evolution of the football career, and for Saudi football to become one of the legitimate stages of that evolution.”
Not everyone shares that optimism. American businessman Ben Harburg, owner of Al-Kholood FC, questioned Salah’s suitability for the league and suggested a different priority altogether. “If it was a choice between him and Vinicius, I would choose Vinicius,” Harburg stated.
As the debate continues, Salah’s future remains uncertain, with Saudi Arabia once again positioning itself as a serious contender should the opportunity arise.
