Mohamed Salah remains a target for the Saudi Pro League with the Liverpool forward told he is “welcome at any time” to move to the country.
The Reds rejected a £150million bid from Saudi champions Al-Ittihad on transfer deadline day in September having made it clear they would not entertain any offers for the player.
Al-Ittihad are one of four teams to have benefited from a cash injection by majority Newcastle United owners PIF that has helped prompt a host of established names to move to Saudi Arabia, including former Liverpool trio Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino.
Saudi Arabia view Salah as the most high-profile Muslim player in the world and are expected to reignite their interest during next summer’s transfer window, when Liverpool’s resolve could be tested given the Egyptian will be entering the last year of his current contract at Anfield.
And the league’s director of football Michael Emenalo, formerly of Chelsea, has indicated they remain interested in a move for the Reds forward.
“Mo is welcome at any time,” he said. “But no-one is pressured or forced to come. If anyone would like to come and there is an opportunity to work with the releasing club in a very respectful and professional manner, we would be very happy to have them. But, yeah, Mo is my personal favourite.”
Speaking to German news outlet TZ, Emenalo claimed that “many world-class players” are showing an interest in joining the Saudi Pro League while admitting the vast sums of money on offer are a consideration.
“The Saudi Pro League is open to every single superstar who wants to be a part of it,” he said. “The younger they are, the better. I can’t reveal what the plans are. But I can tell you with certainty that many world-class players who want to get into the league are showing great interest.
“I think they want to go to the Saudi Pro League because it would obviously improve their economics. This is what we all strive for in our lives. But most of all they want to come here because they look at the league now and talk to their friends, the other superstars, and understand that this is a place where you can go and have fun, where you can come with your family and live a nice, peaceful life where you can play football in good weather most of the year and where you are well looked after.
