Salah Saudi Arabia transfer talk has intensified after Saudi Pro League chief executive Omar Mugharbel confirmed that clubs in the kingdom are actively monitoring the Liverpool forward and view him as a priority target. The Egyptian star is under contract at Anfield until June 2027, but recent tensions with manager Arne Slot and reduced game time have fuelled speculation that his Liverpool chapter may be nearing an end.
Saudi interest ramps up amid Liverpool tensions
Speaking at the World Football Summit in Riyadh, Mugharbel made it clear that Salah would “always be welcome” in the Saudi Pro League and is among the top names being discussed by leading clubs. His comments came just as talk of a possible exit from Liverpool began to escalate, creating fresh momentum around a move to the Middle East.
The mood around Salah shifted dramatically after his public remarks about being left on the bench, where he hinted that someone inside the club was trying to make him the scapegoat for Liverpool’s poor form and flagged a breakdown in communication with Slot after the 3–3 draw against Leeds United. Those statements, combined with whispers of dressing-room strain, have added real weight to the idea that a summer transfer could be on the horizon.
Benched, left out and sent home
At 33, Salah has found himself in an unfamiliar position: three consecutive games without starting and then omitted entirely from the squad for the Champions League trip to Inter Milan. Liverpool went on to secure a 1–0 win in Milan, with Dominik Szoboszlai operating in the wide attacking role usually associated with Salah, even if his instructions were not identical.
Salah’s absence raised eyebrows, especially coming so close to his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations. The immediate question is whether he will be involved against Brighton, Liverpool’s final game before AFCON. The bigger issue is what happens after the tournament: will he return to Anfield as a central figure, or will the situation tip towards a transfer?
Slot’s talks with Salah and the way forward
Ahead of the Brighton fixture, Arne Slot stated that he planned clear-the-air discussions with Salah and stressed that he had no desire to see him leave Liverpool. Those talks are expected to determine whether Salah features against Brighton and may also shape how both sides see their futures beyond this season.
Salah has already acknowledged that his relationship with Slot has been damaged, which makes the outcome of those conversations crucial. If trust and communication can be restored, Liverpool might yet keep their star forward. If not, it could accelerate serious negotiations with Saudi clubs once AFCON is over.
Possible Saudi destinations: Ronaldo link-up on the cards?
If Salah does decide on a move to Saudi Arabia, the list of realistic destinations is short but packed with star power:
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Al Nassr: The prospect of Salah linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo would be a global headline-maker. With talents like João Félix and Kingsley Coman already in the squad, adding Salah would be a huge statement for a club still chasing their first league title since Ronaldo’s arrival.
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Al Hilal: With Neymar gone, Hilal are natural contenders for a new flagship attacker. Salah’s elite end-product, consistency and worldwide appeal match the club’s ambition to remain the region’s biggest draw.
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Al Ittihad: Previously ready to spend around £150 million to sign him, Ittihad cannot be dismissed. A front line featuring Salah alongside Karim Benzema, backed by N’Golo Kanté, would be a formidable attraction for both fans and broadcasters.
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Al Ahli: Financial muscle and a growing sporting project make Al Ahli another viable option, with the resources to meet Liverpool’s valuation and Salah’s wage expectations.
All four clubs benefit from strong backing within the PIF football structure and have both the motivation and financial power to move decisively if Salah signals he is ready for a new challenge. Given his status as arguably the greatest player ever to emerge from the Arab world, bringing him to the Saudi Pro League would carry huge symbolic value as well as commercial and sporting upside.
All eyes on Brighton, AFCON and what comes next
For now, attention turns to three key milestones: the Brighton match, Salah’s AFCON campaign, and what happens once he returns. If tensions with Slot ease, Liverpool may push to keep him at least until the end of his contract. If the rift widens, the door opens wider for a blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia.
Whether Salah joins Ronaldo in the kingdom remains an open question, but the ingredients are all there: public confirmation of interest from the league, a handful of super-clubs ready to act, and a strained relationship at Liverpool that could make a clean break appealing for everyone involved.
Gulf Repost tracks the biggest football and transfer stories shaping the Middle East and beyond, from Saudi Pro League super-signings to Premier League tensions, AFCON storylines and World Cup qualifiers. With sharp analysis and regional insight, Gulf Repost connects the dots between club politics, player careers and the shifting power centres of the global game.
