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Michael Emenalo explains the real reason Mohamed Salah didn’t go to Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Pro League is ever-expanding, and they have brought in a number of top players in recent years.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez are all out in Saudi Arabia at the moment.
A number of former Liverpool players are also playing in the middle east right now such as Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson.
However, if the Saudis had their way, they’d have another Liverpool star in their ranks.
Indeed, Mohamed Salah was a top target for the Saudi Pro League 12 months ago, and speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the Sporting Director of the Saudi League, Michael Emenalo, has now confirmed that the Saudi interest in Salah was genuine.
Saudi interest in Mohamed Salah has been confirmed
Emenalo spoke about how one of the Saudi teams did go after Salah.
The Sporting Director says that Salah was a key target, but, ultimately, he didn’t seem to want the move, nor did Liverpool have any plans to sell the winger.
“What are the chances that Mo Salah comes to the Saudi Pro League?” Emenalo was asked.
“I think it depends on Mo. The stories that our teams went after him was true, it is true, there was an interest, but just like Osimhen, it’s ok for me to have an interest in signing Mo, but the club have to have an interest in letting him go, and if those things don’t align, you don’t have a deal,” Emenalo said.
“Fundamentally, Liverpool didn’t want to sell and what price were we willing to buy at? I didn’t feel the player was ready to come because he felt like he had unfinished business.”
What will happen with Salah?
Mohamed Salah didn’t go to Saudi Arabia last year, but he has another massive decision to make on his future in 2025.
Indeed, the attacker’s contract is up next summer, and he will be free to leave Liverpool should he wish to.
Of course, Liverpool will be keen to keep Salah, so what is the current state of play on that front?
According to Fabrizio Romano, Salah is happy at Liverpool and discussions will take place in the near future.
“Liverpool want to talk to Mo Salah and Salah wants to talk to Liverpool,” Romano said.
“Salah is very keen on discussing with Liverpool about the new project. He’s very happy with Arne Slot, the directors, the new management.
“So the discussion will take place, let’s see financially, in terms of project, in terms of the length of the contract. There are many things to discuss”.
The Saudi interest is still lurking, but there’s still an outside chance that Salah does end up staying at Anfield and signing a new contract.
Salah is still a ‘world class’ player, and he still has a massive part to play at Liverpool going forwards.