Rumors have resurfaced regarding the future of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, with recent reports, most notably from the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, revealing that Saudi club Al-Ittihad has renewed its interest in acquiring the Liverpool icon and has placed him at the top of its list of transfer targets for the upcoming summer window. This move comes as part of a comprehensive plan to rebuild the team and get back on track after a disappointing season both domestically and in Europe.
Historical background and context of the previous attempt
This interest is not new. In the summer of 2023, Al-Ittihad was at the center of a saga that captivated global attention when they submitted an astronomical offer of over £150 million to Liverpool for Salah. Despite the enormous financial incentives offered to both the player and the English club, Liverpool and their manager, Jürgen Klopp, insisted on keeping their star player, temporarily shelving the deal. Now, Al-Ittihad is back in the spotlight, capitalizing on new developments, most notably Salah's contract expiring in the summer of 2025, which leaves Liverpool with the option of selling him this summer to avoid losing him for free.
The importance of the deal and its expected impact
The potential transfer of Mohamed Salah to Al-Ittihad is not solely a technical matter, but extends to significant strategic and marketing dimensions. Domestically , Salah's arrival would represent a tremendous morale and technical boost for Al-Ittihad, enabling them to return to serious contention for the Saudi Professional League title, a competition already fiercely contested with global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr and Neymar at Al-Hilal. This pursuit comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the future of French star Karim Benzema with the team, making the search for a new leader for the project a pressing need.
Regionally and internationally , Mohamed Salah is the most prominent sporting phenomenon in the Arab and Islamic world, and his joining the Saudi League will raise its profile and viewership to unprecedented levels in the Middle East and North Africa. The deal will also enhance the Roshan League's standing as an attractive destination for top international football stars and underscores the ambitious goals of the Saudi Arabian sports project, which aims to make the league one of the top 10 leagues in the world.
Mohamed Salah's future remains uncertain, torn between his desire to continue his legendary career in Europe and the allure of an ambitious sporting project that could make him the leading figure in Arab football. With Al-Ittihad currently sitting sixth in the league table with 34 points, the club's management understands that a signing of Salah's caliber is what the team needs to return to its rightful place as one of the pillars of Saudi and Asian football.
