Saudi chief hints at shock new Mo Salah transfer plan after Liverpool twist

Liverpool have been boosted by Mohamed Salah’s decision to sign a new contract but that doesn’t seem to have killed off transfer interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia

Mohamed Salah will not be heading to Saudi Arabia this summer after committing his future to Liverpool – but the nation’s sports minister has hinted that the Egyptian superstar remains a future target for clubs in the Saudi Pro League.

Salah, who is thought to have a clutch of admirers in the Middle East, was the subject of a failed £150million bid from Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023. And the 32-year-old has been touted as a target again throughout the season while he and the Reds went back and forth in negotiations over a new contract.

The former AS Roma man has now been rewarded for his scintillating form with a bumper new deal. But Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has suggested that Saudi haven’t yet given up hope of signing him one day – even if the league is now focusing on younger talent.

“I mean, he’s a superstar,” Al-Faisal told reporters of Salah ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

READ MORE: Liverpool step up interest in Mo Salah successor as £200m transfer plan emergesREAD MORE: Liverpool’s likely title parade plans and how fans will celebrate Premier League crown

“He’s an iconic Arab Muslim. He fits the identity of playing in the Saudi league. It was his decision to renew with, but linking Saudi to him and everything… think from Day 1 they link Saudi to him. There wasn’t any discussions. But it’s good to have that.

“Now you can see that any player wants to renew their contract or sign their, they [the media] are saying that they’re coming to Saudi and most 90% of it is not true. But I think we have a strategy that we’re working on and everyone is saying that we’re just signing any players.”

Salah and Liverpool may be closing in on the Premier League title – though Arsenal’s win at Ipswich means they will have to wait at least another week to be crowned – but a flurry of transfer activity is still expected at Anfield this summer.

Join the debate! What do you think of Salah’s decision to stay? Let us know here

And while it’s now been confirmed that Salah will be staying with the Reds beyond the end of the 2024-25 campaign, the club seemingly have their sights set on a player who could be his long-term successor in Bryan Mbuemo.

As per The Sun, Liverpool are among a number of clubs who have watched Mbuemo shine for Brentford this year.

It’s said the striker, who has 18 Premier League goals to his name this season, could be available this summer for around £50million given he has just one year remaining on his contract, although the Bees do hold an option to extend said deal by a further 12 months.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.