Mohamed Salah is not GOOD ENOUGH for Saudi PRO League – Al Kholood chairman Ben Harburg

Al Kholood chairman Ben Harburg has cast doubt on Mohamed Salah’s suitability for the Saudi Pro League, arguing that the Liverpool talisman is no longer at the level required for the competition.

Salah’s future at Anfield has become increasingly uncertain after a fiery interview last weekend in which he accused the club of “throwing him under the bus” following a third consecutive start on the bench.

His situation has fuelled renewed interest from Saudi clubs, who have long targeted the Egyptian star.

But Harburg believes splashing out on Salah at this stage of his career would be the wrong move.

“There’s already, even among the public, much more apprehension around his coming into the league,” Harburg told HaytersTV.

“He’s 33 years old, he got paid a boatload [at Liverpool] and has underperformed massively since then.

“I’m sure some people like his star power, he’s from the region, but my sentiment is that he is not a fit for our league. If it were between him and Vinicius [Junior], I’d take Vinicius.

“I’m hoping we go after those 25-year-old next-wave players rather than guys like Salah, who definitely this would be the last stop of his career,” he went on.

Despite that stance, Saudi Pro League executive Omar Mugharbel insists that Salah remains firmly on the radar of several sides.

However, Harburg added that he hopes Saudi clubs prioritise younger, emerging stars instead of veterans nearing the end of their careers.

“Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players.

“For sure, Salah is one of them [a target],” he added.

Salah, left out of Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan, is expected to join Egypt ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.