Saudi set to miss out on Salah: Who’s next on their wishlist?

The Saudi Pro League’s ambitions to secure one of the game’s biggest superstars appear to be fading, with Mohamed Salah moving closer to agreeing a new contract with Liverpool.

After months of speculation, talks between Salah and Liverpool have reportedly gained momentum, offering renewed hope to the Anfield faithful that their talisman will remain in the Premier League.

With 27 goals and 17 assists in 31 league games this season, Salah has been vital to Liverpool’s success, driving the Reds to an 11-point lead at the top of the table. His consistency and output are irreplaceable assets for Liverpool, who now believe they will extend Salah’s eight-year tenure at Anfield.

For Saudi Arabia’s top clubs, this development represents a significant setback. Salah has long been a priority target for teams like Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, who view the Egyptian forward as a marquee signing to enhance their league’s global profile.

The 32-year-old, revered across the Arab world for his achievements on and off the pitch, embodies the kind of cultural and sporting icon the Saudi Pro League has sought to in its bid to continue reshaping football’s global landscape.

His name has been linked with Saudi clubs for over a year, with Al-Ittihad making a reported £150 million bid in 2023 - a record-breaking offer Liverpool resolutely turned down. Al-Hilal, fresh off parting ways with Neymar, had been particularly hopeful of signing Salah ahead of this year’s FIFA Club World Cup.

However, Liverpool’s determination to retain Salah appears to have paid off. Despite the immense financial rewards on offer in the Saudi Pro League, his focus remains seems set on the soon to be Premier League champions.

The Saudi Pro League’s ambitious recruitment drive has brought global attention to its rapid growth. High-profile signings like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have put the spotlight on its determination to challenge traditional footballing powerhouses.

Securing Salah would have been a landmark moment, not just for his star power but also for the symbolic value of attracting one of the Middle East’s most celebrated figures.

While the dream of signing Salah may now be over, the Saudi Pro League could still welcome several high-profile signings this summer.

Al-Ettifaq’s head of scouting, Thomas Spring, who had hinted Salah would make the move, suggested that another Liverpool star might join the league, alongside one of the Premier League’s most legendary midfielders.

“I think that the recruitment model will be a healthy balance between elite, world-class players,” Spring told The Overlap last week. “So I still envisage a Mo Salah, a De Bruyne, a Darwin Nunez. I still envisage those players coming across.

“But I also envisage more emerging players like a Jhon Duran, for example, I see more younger players that are really operating successfully in leagues around Europe coming across. And that healthy balance being there.

“Then I also envisage that the ambition will still be there. So the goal of the SPL is to compete with Europe’s top-five leagues. So whatever method to achieve that, whether that’s staffing or facilities or player recruitment, medical, discipline, I envisage they will invest heavily into that. To come on par with Europe’s top-five leagues.”