Al Hilal could take advantage of an “extraordinary” transfer loophole to sign Mohamed Salah from Liverpool in the January-summer gap.
This comes amid reports that the Saudi Pro League team is eyeing Salah as a possible replacement for Neymar – rumors recently fueled by Saudi sports chief Turki Alalshikh.
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Neymar’s contract at Al Hilal expires at the end of the season and he will leave the club having barely survived his lucrative two-year spell in the Middle East.
The Brazilian arrived from Al-Nassr alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the mega signings of the newly formed Saudi Pro League, but injuries have hampered his career in the Middle East, limiting him to just seven appearances in total.
With the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker expected to move on, Al Hilal are firmly in their sights in search of their next superstar – Salah.
Salah is out of contract with Liverpool at the end of the season and could be available on a free transfer in the summer, and Alalshikh – “the most well-connected person in all of Saudi sport” – recently suggested by post that a deal was on the cards edited image of Salah in an Al-Hilal shirt on social media.
Liverpool are understood to remain confident of getting their Egyptian king to agree a new deal to stay at Anfield.
However, The Pitch Prospect’s transfer correspondent Ben Jacobs also revealed that the “extraordinary window” could bring some surprises.
“Keep an eye on the exceptional window between June 1 and 10 during which any association can use FIFA to sign players ahead of the Club World Cup.”
“The English Football Association hasn’t decided yet. It’s about all clubs, not just Club World Cup teams, so that’s the debate: Do you do it in favor of Chelsea and Man City, or do the other 18 Premier League clubs say, ‘We’?” “Are “You’re not that interested”?
“The Saudi Football Association has already said ‘yes’, so Al Hilal has the opportunity to sign Salah on a free transfer, possibly in the run-up to the Club World Cup, and then use him in this tournament.”
“That is a consideration, but at the moment Liverpool still feel their offer for Salah is there and remain optimistic he will extend.”
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“Despite that little tease from Turki Alalshikh, and usually when he reveals something – he’s the guy behind boxing in Saudi Arabia, for example – nine times out of ten when he posts something, there’s something substantive behind it.”
“So, even if Liverpool are optimistic, Salah and Saudi remain the ones to keep an eye on.”
Additionally, Saudi Pro League sporting director Michael Emenalo – former football director of Chelsea – has a close relationship with the 32-year-old Egyptian.
Al Ittihad, a fellow Saudi Pro Leaguer, made a £150million transfer for the Liverpool star 18 months ago, although the offer was rejected by the Premier League giants.
Salah is nearing the end of his contract at Liverpool and has frequently commented on the club’s lack of progress in offering him an extension – admitting he is “more out than in”.
This January window has opened up the opportunity for Salah to discuss his future with other clubs as he will be a free agent in the summer.
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Salah has been at the center of a media storm surrounding his future alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.
Alexander-Arnold is close to a move to Real Madrid, while Salah is keen to stay in Europe as he still believes he can perform at his best.
The Egypt international is leading Liverpool’s title hunt this season after scoring 18 goals and 13 assists at the halfway point of the campaign.
Salah recently admitted he felt it was his last season at Anfield, although no formal approach has been made for the Egypt international.