Saudi Pro League clubs’ interest in signing Mohamed Salah has cooled, The i Paper has been told.
Salah’s startling comments after being left on the bench again for Liverpool’s trip to Leeds earlier this month led many to believe his dream transfer to the Middle East would finally come true.
But Saudi clubs have noted how his remarks worked towards a reconciliation – he was back in the team a week later, with support from teammates.
The squad has actually been given a jolt into life as a result of Salah’s outburst – Liverpool have won four from four since.
Alexander Isak’s injury also lessens the competition for places.
Why have the Saudis lost interest in Salah?
“For now, Mo seems to have got his way,” one source who works with the Saudi Pro League tells The i Paper.
“It is nothing we haven’t seen before – he likes to stir the pot to get his way.
“There is certainly less faith here that a January move could happen as a result.”
A senior official at a top Saudi club, who wished to remain anonymous, believes a signing like Salah, while being preferential, is not the potential difference-maker as it would have been before.
“I would say the top teams here, like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, would get into the Premier League top six in England with their current squads, top four in Spain. Higher in Italy,” he tells The i Paper.
“Look at the players we have, in their prime. Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kingsley Coman, Joao Felix – all elite European players who turned down top European clubs.
“Salah would be great, but the way we are growing our scouting networks, analytics, ability to attract younger players – Al-Hilal just signed a 22-year-old Brazilian for £40m from Benfica – we are almost there in our development. This must remain our focus.”
Could he still move to the Middle East?
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which owns 75 per cent of the league’s top four clubs, will almost certainly at least try for Salah again next month.
Even before the 33-year-old decided to make his disgruntlement public, there was a growing feeling Liverpool would sell for a cut-price deal, given Salah’s loss of form and apparent expendability while remaining on the bench.
Salah has always been interested in hearing what the Saudis have to say, admitting as such outside Elland Road.
Yet, with his words having the desired effect, he could equally stay put, knowing he has unfinished business on Merseyside.
What made the Saudis change their minds?
The Saudis will always be waiting, but perhaps not with the revolutionary vision for Salah in the Middle East as before.
“We are able to attract players for other reasons than money now,” the senior figure adds.
“These big names are always telling me how great their family life is here. We live in gated compounds, with numerous pools for kids to play in. It’s 20 degrees in November.
“One international told me his family refused to travel with him on the recent international break, such was the fun his kids were having. Family life here for Europeans is great.
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“These players are then telling others with young families how great life is. The league is getting more competitive, fans are more demanding than at top European clubs. Our issue is the gap between the best and worst in the Pro League is huge. Bottom teams are League Two standard.
“The development means clubs are improving all the time, though, making the league more appealing to European players seeking a fresh challenge. We have foreign quotas to ensure local top talent is given a chance, with two Under-21 players in each side. The focus on foreign big stars coming here to finish their career has almost gone.”
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