The Saudi Pro League will make a big-money move for Mohamed Salah next year, according to one report.
The Reds are no strangers to the growing influence of Saudi Arabia in global football, having sold Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Al Ettifaq and Al Ittihad respectively for a combined £52m, while Roberto Firmino also joined Al Ahli upon expiry of his contract on Merseyside.
There have also been rumours of interest from Pro League clubs in Thiago Alcantara and Luis Diaz, though those moves appear unlikely, while Reds legend Sadio Mane has signed for Al Nassr from Bayern Munich.
Beyond Liverpool, the likes of Ngolo Kante, Karim Benzema and Riyad Mahrez have all moved to Saudi Arabia this summer. Meanwhile, Al Hilal have made a world-record bid for Kylian Mbappe.
Many in Europe concerned over the future of Saudi spending and the shifting football landscape.
According to the Sunday Mirror, this is just the beginning, with more big-name arrivals being lined up next year – including Salah.
READ: Should Liverpool be preparing for Mohamed Salah’s goodbye?
The report claims Salah and Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne will be targeted in ‘money no object raids.’
An unnamed Pro League executive is quoted as saying: “This is just the beginning. The League’s budget is astronomical and there is already interest from leading international players in England to move over here.
“With the personal rewards on offer it’s a life changing situation which few players will be able to resist. You can bet that more top players will be arriving again next year.”
Ex-Liverpool captain Henderson – who received widespread criticism for his decision to move to Saudi Arabia – will reportedly earn the equivalent of £350k a week tax-free to to play for Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq, while the likes of Mane, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo are on vastly more.
READ MORE: How much do Fabinho, Henderson and Mane earn in Saudi Arabia?
Salah’s Liverpool contract is due to expire in 2025, when he will turn 33. If Liverpool do not extend his contract this season, he will enter the final 12 months of his deal next summer, making his Liverpool position more vulnerable.
There is no doubt that the world’s biggest Arab footballing superstar would be a coveted addition to the Saudi Pro League.
According to one report from Saudi outlet Al-Riyadiah, Al Ittihad – Fabinho’s new club – have already made an approach for Liverpool record scorer in the Premier League.
An unnamed source ‘close to the player’ revealed talks with Salah, who would be offered a staggering £155m in wages over two seasons.
It is said that Al Ittihad would be prepared to be offer Liverpool a bid of £60m.
While this is clearly not a tempting offer for Liverpool currently, and little in the way of credible reporting has verified the claims, one concern for the Reds is the date of the Saudi transfer deadline.
This season’s Pro League transfer window will not close until 20 September – a full 19 days after the Premier League’s deadline – potentially leaving English clubs vulnerable to unsettling offers for players they can’t replace.
Jurgen Klopp has called on football’s authorities to look into this issue.
He said: “Pretty much the worst thing I think is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open three weeks longer. If I am right, I heard something like that, then at least in Europe that’s not helpful.
“Uefa or Fifa must find solutions for that. But in the end, at this moment, I don’t know exactly what will happen.
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