According to The Pitch Prospect, Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal are looking to sign Mohamed Salah ahead of the Club World Cup.
‘The Egyptian King’ terrified Liverpool’s fanbase as the Reds topped the Premier League on what should have been a weekend of euphoria.
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After scoring the winning goal in Arne Slot’s side’s 2-1 win over Brighton, he wrote a cryptic post on Instagram in which some Liverpool fans thought he was hinting that a move away from Anfield was imminent.
Now The Pitch Prospect’s Saudi football correspondent Ben Jacobs has revealed that there are numerous interested parties who want Salah to sign ahead of next summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.
On Monday, Jacobs told White and Jordan: “2025 is the goal. Al Hilal is the club.”
“The Saudi Football Association will approach FIFA in this so-called exceptional window before the Club World Cup.
“So in theory they could try to sign Salah between June 1st and 10th, which means they are considering him not only for the Saudi Pro League but also for the Club World Cup.”
Salah – whose current Liverpool contract expires in June – has previously been the subject of Saudi interest.
Liverpool rejected a huge £150m offer for the Al Ittihad winger in September 2023.
Al Hilal was also enthusiastic at the time.
The Pitch Prospect reported in April that the Reds were preparing to make another offer, but no deal materialized over the summer.
Seven months later, Jacobs says Al Hilal still hasn’t given up the pursuit.
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“All signs point to Saudi Arabia coming back and of course if Salah is a free agent he can get a higher signing fee,” he said.
“Liverpool want him to extend, Saudi Arabia is putting pressure on him.” [Saudi Pro League sporting director] Michael Emenalo, who has a good relationship with Mo Salah, is leading the campaign.
“The only thing that has really changed is the club from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal and the expectation is that Saudi Arabia will make a big push.”
Jacobs then added: “Another expectation is that TV rights will become country specific in certain territories.”
“One of these areas is Egypt. Therefore, if Salah joins, it is also about a return on investment, as Egypt will have certain land rights.”
“And with Salah, you would expect the Saudi Pro League to be able to do a relatively lucrative deal.”
“So Salah remains on the agenda after Saudi Arabia and Al Hilal is the most likely destination in terms of the Club World Cup.”
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Should Salah take part in the Club World Cup, he will face Lionel Messi.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will compete with David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
Salah will also play at Al Hilal alongside Neymar and former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, with a number of big stars making the move since Cristiano Ronaldo’s surprise move to Al Nassr in 2022.
The Egyptian has been playing for Liverpool since 2017, when he moved from Roma for an initial fee of £36.5m, which could rise to £43m.
With the Reds he won the Club World Cup in 2020 as well as the Champions League and the Premier League, among others.
The former Chelsea striker made 364 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 220 goals and providing 96 assists, becoming an Anfield legend.
Salah scored the winner for his side on Saturday as Liverpool came back from Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu’s early goal.
Cody Gakpo equalized in the 70th minute before Salah stunned the Seagulls and doubled his side’s lead just two minutes later.
Manchester City’s defeat against Bournemouth means the Reds are two points ahead of second-placed City at the top of the table.