A Saudi Pro League summer swoop is already being prepared for Mohamed Salah – but clubs will not try to sign him in the January transfer window.
As The i Paper reported earlier this month, Saudi clubs had cooled their immediate interest in Salah, given how Liverpool were reluctant to let the Egyptian go. The two parties reconciled in the aftermath of his extraordinary public outburst last year.
Sources say the fact the 33-year-old was straight back into the Liverpool XI for the 3-0 win in Marseille, days after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, enhanced the belief among Saudi clubs that they are right to look elsewhere for now.
However, with superstar names returning to Europe en masse from the Middle East, there has been a shift towards signing younger players, a look at their summer plans has caused a bit of a rethink.
While all seems well between Salah and Arne Slot for now, the relationship is far from secure. The chance to say a proper goodbye to Liverpool and their supporters, finishing the season on the pitch, is how Salah would prefer to go out, rather than an acrimonious January exit.
Florian Wirtz’s improvement and Hugo Ekitike’s start to life on Merseyside put them a strong position to lead a Liverpool attack club officials feel can be a success, with Alexander Isak to provide the firepower when back fit.
One source close to the Saudi Pro League transfer process feels a summer move is “inevitable”.
“The January conversation only came about after what Salah said to the media [about being ‘not wanted’]” one source says.
“Now we know it is in his head that leaving Liverpool is a realistic option, and retiring there isn’t likely, we can prepare a proper approach in the summer.
“Salah is a name that changes the appeal of the league to a large number of players.”
N’Golo Kante is the latest big name eyeing a return to Europe, with talks between Al-Ittihad and Fenerbahce ongoing. Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte left the Middle East for a second stint with Athletic Bilbao. Ruben Neves could leave this January, while a host of marquee players are out of contract in the summer and are expected to seek new challenges.
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The burgeoning Qatari Stars League also poses a problem in that there is another potential Middle Eastern option for players seeking a lucrative final few years of their careers. Roberto Firmino, Marco Verratti and Julian Draxler have joined the growing list of recognisable players in Doha.
Salah is the one name Saudi clubs have always retained an interest in, even as the shift away from ageing players past their best progresses.
A Muslim player of Salah’s stature, playing in an Arab country, could have an even greater galvanising effect on the league’s appeal than the arrival for Cristiano Ronaldo, a source added.
from Football - The i Paper https://ift.tt/eDT0p3H
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