Transfer Centre

Saudi Pro League chief talks up interest in Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 13 October 2023

Saudi Pro League chief talks up Mohamed Salah interest

Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo reiterates that the league are interested in attracting Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah to the Middle East.

Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo has said that Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is "a personal favourite".

Salah was heavily linked with a switch to the Middle East during the closing days of the summer transfer window, reports indicating that Liverpool could receive bids of in excess of £150m from champions Al-Ittihad.

At the time, the Merseyside giants took a hardline approach to retaining the services of their key man, with their stance being that it was too late in the summer to give any thought to doing business.

However, a scenario where the 31-year-old becomes the latest high-profile name to move to the Saudi Pro League remains plausible courtesy of his contract only running until 2025.

While a mid-season switch at a time when Liverpool are challenging for the Premier League title and a return to the Champions League is unlikely, speculation is expected to persist in the long term.

Mohamed Salah scores for Liverpool against LASK Linz on September 21, 2023 © Reuters

Emenalo, formerly of Chelsea, has recently been appointed as the director of football of the Saudi Pro League, effectively spearheading the division's efforts to attract more big names in the future.

Speaking in an interview with journalist Philipp Kessler, Emenalo has acknowledged that Salah remains on both his and the league's radar.

The 58-year-old said: "Mo is welcome at any time, but no one is pressured or forced to come.

"If anyone wants to come here and there is an opportunity to work with the transferring club in a very respectful and professional manner, we would be very happy to have them, but Mo is a personal favorite of mine."

Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah pictured on September 16, 2023 © Reuters

Salah has continued to enjoy an outstanding start to the new season, contributing six goals and four assists from his 10 appearances in the Premier League and Europa League.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is keen to keep Salah at Anfield as long as possible, but reports have suggested that Liverpool have started to identify potential replacements.

Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto and PSV Eindhoven attacker Johan Bakayoko have both been linked with a future transfer in recent weeks.

Any funds generated from a potential Salah sale may also be used on fresh faces for other areas of the pitch, including right-back, centre-back and central midfield.