Mohamed Salah returned to training on Monday but is remaining on Merseyside while Liverpool travel to Milan to face Inter in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League sides circle around the future of the 33-year-old, who ignited speculation over his future with incendiary comments after his side’s 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday.
Suitors in Saudi Arabia are willing to rank Salah among the top earners in the league but are not prepared to offer Liverpool terms close to the enormous nine-figure deal that was previously rejected in the summer of 2023. Salah expressed feeling “thrown under the bus” by the club and had no relationship with head coach Arne Slot, further increasing the long-standing interest from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are actively seeking to secure the Egyptian’s contract. League leaders Al-Nassr may also enter the negotiations but would have to move out Sadio Mane, who has a complicated past with Salah at Liverpool. Additionally, while Al-Nassr is also interested in Bruno Fernandes, they might postpone focusing on Salah until after the World Cup, when more high-profile players might be available.
Ultimately, the decision regarding Salah’s future will depend on the owners of these clubs. Sources close to PIF indicate that Salah favors a move to Saudi Arabia, especially after rejecting a $162 million deal last summer. Despite interest from Al-Hilal, there was no push for a transfer during January when Salah was approaching free agency, as it was clear he wanted to extend his Liverpool contract.
Saudi clubs are expected to offer Salah personal terms similar to a $200 million annual deal proposed two years ago, though the offer to Liverpool is likely to be considerably lower now due to Salah’s decreasing form and age.
Furthermore, Salah’s recent interview has enabled Saudi clubs the same opportunity that arose following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United before the 2022 World Cup, suggesting Liverpool’s negotiating power has been significantly weakened.
Questions loom over whether Liverpool management made the right decision in renewing Salah’s contract last summer. They are faced with the opportunity costs of re-signing him, especially with the team preparing for a future without one of their greatest forwards. With Salah aging, Liverpool may soon need to explore other wide attackers to maintain their competitive edge.
Inter vs. Liverpool Viewing Information
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 9
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: San Siro, Milan
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Inter +115; Draw +250; Liverpool +220
