Mohamed Salah to Saudi Arabia: Inside the £200M Transfer Saga That Could Define Football’s Future
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Mohamed Salah is embroiled in a transfer saga at Liverpool after publicly stating in December 2025 that the club “threw him under the bus” and that he has no relationship with manager Arne Slot. Despite signing a contract until 2027, Salah’s future is uncertain with Saudi clubs Al Ittihad and Al Hilal reportedly offering €200 million per year. He returned from AFCON on January 21, 2026, and started in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Marseille, but questions remain over whether he will leave in summer 2026.
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Contract situation: Salah signed a two-year extension until 2027 in April 2025, but his relationship with manager Arne Slot has deteriorated significantly. Saudi interest: Al Ittihad and Al Hilal remain frontrunners, with reports of a €1 billion five-year package on offer. The outburst: In December 2025, Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after being benched three consecutive games, sparking a public feud with Jamie Carragher. Current status: Salah returned from AFCON (where Egypt finished fourth) on January 21, 2026, starting in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Marseille — though he failed to score. What happens next: Salah’s summer departure to Saudi Arabia appears increasingly likely, with PIF sources claiming they are “absolutely convinced” a deal will happen in 2026.
What Happened Between Salah and Liverpool?
The crisis erupted on December 6, 2025, when Salah was left on the bench for the third consecutive match — Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United.
After the final whistle, Salah stopped in the mixed zone (something he has only done four times in eight years at Liverpool) and delivered a bombshell interview that shook English football.
His key quotes included accusations that the club had “thrown him under the bus” and that he no longer had any relationship with manager Arne Slot. Salah also suggested he had received broken promises from the summer, and ominously told fans that he had invited his family to Anfield for what could be his final appearance before leaving for AFCON.
The interview was widely seen as calculated rather than emotional. Liverpool responded by dropping Salah from the travelling squad for their 1-0 Champions League win at Inter Milan three days later.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher called Salah’s interview “a disgrace” on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, accusing the forward of timing his outburst to coincide with a bad result in an attempt to get Slot sacked. Carragher stated that whenever Salah stops in the mixed zone, it is choreographed with his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position.
Salah’s Liverpool Record: A Legacy Under Threat?
Despite the drama, Salah’s numbers at Liverpool are nothing short of extraordinary. He has become one of the greatest players in Premier League history.
Career Highlights at Liverpool
Since joining from Roma for £36.5m in 2017, Salah has achieved remarkable milestones. He holds the record for most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season (47 in 2024/25), matching the all-time record previously held by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer in 42-game seasons.
Salah is the highest-scoring African player in Premier League history with 188+ goals, and ranks fourth on the all-time Premier League scorers list — behind only Alan Shearer, Harry Kane, and Wayne Rooney. He became the first player ever to reach double figures for both goals and assists before Christmas in 2024/25.
His trophy cabinet includes two Premier League titles (2019/20, 2024/25), one Champions League (2019), one FA Cup (2022), one League Cup (2022), and the FIFA Club World Cup (2019).
| Season | Premier League Goals | Assists | Total Involvements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 32 | 10 | 42 |
| 2018/19 | 22 | 8 | 30 |
| 2019/20 | 19 | 10 | 29 |
| 2020/21 | 22 | 5 | 27 |
| 2021/22 | 23 | 13 | 36 |
| 2022/23 | 19 | 12 | 31 |
| 2023/24 | 18 | 9 | 27 |
| 2024/25 | 29 | 18 | 47 (Record) |
The Saudi Arabia Interest: Al Ittihad vs Al Hilal
Saudi Arabia’s interest in Salah is nothing new — but the circumstances have never been more favourable for a deal.
In September 2023, Liverpool rejected a £150m offer from Al Ittihad. Al Ittihad fans were so eager to welcome him that large swathes of the crowd wore Salah masks in anticipation of his arrival. The deal collapsed when Liverpool refused to negotiate so late in the window.
Now, with Salah’s relationship with the club fractured, the Saudi Pro League sees its opportunity.
Who Wants Salah?
Al Ittihad remain the frontrunners according to multiple reports. The Jeddah-based club, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), previously bid £150m and could welcome Salah alongside former Liverpool teammate Fabinho. Their poor start to the 2025/26 season (14 points from 9 games, well behind leaders Al Nassr) makes a marquee signing appealing.
Al Hilal have also expressed strong interest. Manager Simone Inzaghi has publicly stated his desire to sign Salah, and the club already features former Liverpool striker Darwin Núñez. Al Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada confirmed to Cadena SER that Saudi Arabia feel capable of pulling off any signing currently.
Al-Qadsiah, backed by Saudi Aramco (separate from PIF), have also shown interest according to Al Jazeera sources.
Reports suggest Salah could earn up to €200 million annually in Saudi Arabia — a salary that would make him among the highest-paid athletes in the world. Additional incentives include ambassadorial roles for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
What the Saudi Pro League Has Said
Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League, confirmed Salah is a target at the World Football Summit in Riyadh. He stated that Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, though clubs are responsible for negotiating with players. For sure, Salah is one of their targets.
A PIF source told Al Jazeera that there is still no direct negotiations with the club at the moment, but there will be a move at the right moment. The source also confirmed that there is competition inside the Saudi league for who will bring Salah.
Salah’s AFCON 2025 Journey
The Africa Cup of Nations provided a natural cooling-off period between Salah and Liverpool after the December drama.
Egypt’s tournament campaign saw Salah score four goals in six matches as captain, including crucial penalties against South Africa and Benin. The Pharaohs reached the semi-finals before losing 1-0 to Sadio Mané’s Senegal — Salah’s former Liverpool teammate who has repeatedly broken Egyptian hearts in recent years.
Egypt finished fourth after losing the third-place playoff to Nigeria on penalties, with Salah’s spot-kick saved. It was another heartbreaking near-miss for a player who has reached two AFCON finals (2017, 2021) but never won the trophy.
Salah’s Return to Liverpool
Salah rejoined Liverpool training on January 20, 2026, and was immediately included in the squad for the Champions League trip to Marseille.
Manager Arne Slot struck a conciliatory tone at his pre-match press conference. He said he was really happy and pleased to have Salah back, and that even if he had 15 attackers, he would still be happy that Salah comes back. Slot praised Salah’s professionalism in being fit to play 90 minutes after a month away with a different team.
In the 3-0 win at Marseille on January 21, Salah started his first match since November 26 — but it was Dominik Szoboszlai who stole the show with a clever free-kick. Salah missed a glorious late chance when played through by Cody Gakpo, skewing his shot wide.
The performance raised questions about whether Salah’s influence is no longer match-defining, with Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike now holding sway in Liverpool’s attack.
What Happens Next?
Several scenarios could unfold over the coming months:
Scenario 1: Salah Stays Until Summer
This appears the most likely outcome for the January window. Liverpool have no intention of selling mid-season, and Salah remains contracted until 2027.
Scenario 2: Summer Move to Saudi Arabia
PIF sources claim they are “absolutely convinced” Salah will move to Saudi Arabia in 2026. With the World Cup in June and Salah turning 34 later that month, a lucrative final chapter in the Middle East makes financial and career sense.
Al Ittihad and Al Hilal will continue to monitor the situation, ready to pounce when the window opens.
Scenario 3: Liverpool Departure to Another European Club
Less likely but not impossible. Reports have linked Salah with interest from MLS (San Diego FC, owned by Egyptian-born billionaire Sir Mohamed Mansour) and potentially top European clubs willing to take a gamble on his declining years.
| Option | Likelihood | Potential Fee | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay at Liverpool (Summer) | Low | N/A | £400k/week |
| Al Ittihad (Saudi) | High | £80-120m | €200m/year |
| Al Hilal (Saudi) | Medium | £80-120m | €200m/year |
| MLS (San Diego FC) | Low | £30-50m | $20-30m/year |
World Cup 2026: Salah’s Final Shot at Glory?
Perhaps the most significant factor in Salah’s decision-making is the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Egypt have qualified for the tournament, ending a generation’s wait to see Salah at the World Cup after their 2018 appearance was derailed by his shoulder injury in the Champions League final.
At 34, this will almost certainly be Salah’s last World Cup. Whether he arrives as a Saudi Pro League superstar or a Liverpool legend completing his story will depend on negotiations over the next few months.
For betting purposes, Egypt are outsiders for the tournament but Salah’s presence makes them dangerous in any group stage encounter.
How Will This Affect Liverpool’s Title Hopes?
Liverpool’s 2025/26 season has been turbulent. The Salah saga coincided with a run of nine defeats in 12 matches — the club’s worst form since the 1950s.
The Reds currently sit second in the Premier League, trailing leaders (check current standings), and face a crucial second half of the season.
From a betting value perspective, Liverpool’s title odds have drifted significantly since the Salah drama began. The uncertainty around their talisman creates unpredictability in markets.
The Bigger Picture: Saudi Arabia’s Football Revolution
Salah’s potential move is part of a larger Saudi Pro League strategy to sign the world’s biggest stars.
The league has identified Salah and Vinicius Junior (also reportedly offered €1 billion) as prime targets for summer 2026. With the contracts of veterans like Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané expiring, there is appetite for a refresh with players in their prime.
Signing Salah — the world’s most high-profile Arab footballer — would be a coup beyond football. His image rights alone would be transformative for the league’s regional profile, and his role as a potential 2034 World Cup ambassador adds another dimension.
- World’s highest-paid athlete package
- Play alongside former teammates (Fabinho, Núñez)
- Ambassador role for 2034 World Cup
- Tax-free earnings in Saudi Arabia
- Reduced physical demands of Saudi league
- Leaves Europe at 34 with legacy questions
- No Champions League football
- Reduced global profile
- Different league quality
- Family relocation challenges
Conclusion: The Egyptian King’s Crossroads
Mohamed Salah stands at the most significant crossroads of his legendary career.
On one hand, the opportunity to become the face of Saudi Arabian football — and the world’s highest-paid athlete — is unprecedented. On the other, leaving Liverpool under a cloud, with relationships fractured, risks tarnishing a legacy built over eight extraordinary years.
The next few months will determine whether Salah departs Anfield with the guard of honour he deserves, or whether the “thrown under the bus” saga becomes the defining memory of his time at Liverpool.
One thing is certain: wherever Salah plays next season, the football world will be watching.
