Saudi Arabia lures Salah with $80 million salary
Saudi Arabia's leaders are looking to sign Liverpool's Mo Salah in the summer of 2025 for a salary of up to $80m (£65m) over two seasons.
A powerful Saudi figure has sparked speculation about the star's future after posting a picture of Salah wearing an Al Hilal shirt. Turki Alalshikh, who led the boxing takeover and is now a minister in the Saudi government, is determined to bring Salah to Al Hilal before the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. The deal needs approval from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
FIFA allows clubs to sign additional players ahead of the tournament, which starts in mid-June, and Saudi Arabia are ready to make a lucrative offer if Salah agrees to sever ties with Liverpool to move to Al Hilal.
Salah’s failure to renew his contract with Liverpool and his vague statements about his future have raised many doubts. However, Salah is in great form for Liverpool, with 18 goals and 13 assists, leading the Premier League. If he does not renew, he will leave Anfield on a free transfer. Signing Salah, the iconic Muslim player of world football, would be a huge success for the Saudi Pro League.
Since 2017, Salah has scored 232 goals and provided 105 assists in 378 appearances for Liverpool. He has won a Premier League, an FA Cup, two League Cups and a Champions League with the Reds. While his focus is on Liverpool at the moment, the lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia and the chance to be at the centre of a football revolution could prove too much for Salah to turn down. If successful, the move would be a huge step forward in cementing the SPL’s place on the world football map.