Saudi League Plot Winter Swoop for Salah

Saudi Arabia has announced its intention to do “whatever it can” to attract discontented Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah in the upcoming winter transfer window, according to a source from the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) shared with AFP on Tuesday.

The PIF representative indicated that the affluent Gulf state aims to recruit the Egyptian winger in January.

“We follow Salah’s position thoroughly and believe there can be a move either by loan or buying his contract,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, referring to the standoff between the Egyptian and Liverpool.

“There is still no direct negotiations or talks with the club at the moment, but there will be a move at the right moment”

PIF owns a 75 per cent stake in Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad, but the source mentioned that it is not the only entity interested in signing the Arab world’s premier football talent.

After being left on the bench during the 3-3 draw against Leeds on Sunday, Salah expressed that he felt “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and believed his relationship with manager Arne Slot had deteriorated. The 33-year-old forward from Egypt was subsequently omitted from Liverpool’s lineup for their Champions League match against Inter Milan on Tuesday.

Throughout his remarkable tenure at Liverpool, Salah has been instrumental in securing two Premier League titles and one Champions League victory. He extended his contract in April while he was leading Liverpool to the championship.

Salah is expected to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations following next weekend’s Premier League match against Brighton at home. He suggested that the game against Brighton might mark his final appearance for the Reds before departing during the winter transfer period.

In the 2024-25 season, Salah netted 29 goals and registered 18 assists; however, he has not been performing at his usual level during Liverpool’s tough start this season—currently, the title holders are in 10th place in the league, with only 4 goals in 13 appearances.

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