The Saudi Pro League’s director of football Michael Emenalo has admitted Mohamed Salah is a ‘personal favourite’, adding to fears that there will be more offers for Liverpool’s star forward.
Salah was the subject of Saudi interest during the summer transfer window, with Liverpool rejecting one bid from Al Ittihad reportedly worth up to £150m.
It was speculated that the Pro League champions, who also brought in Karim Benzema, Ngolo Kante and Fabinho over the summer, were willing to spend a world-record amount to land the 31-year-old Egyptian, though ultimately no such offer was ever formalised before the transfer deadline passed on 7 September.
With Salah’s contract set to expire in 2025, the Saudis are expected to renew their interest in the Arab world’s biggest sporting superstar in upcoming windows.
Speaking to German site TZ, Emenalo – who oversaw Salah’s move to Chelsea back in 2014 – admitted he would like to see Liverpool’s number 11 make the switch to the Pro League.
“Mo is welcome at any time, but no one is pressured or forced to come,” Emenalo said.
“If anyone wants to come here and there is an opportunity to work with the transferring club in a very respectful and professional manner, we would be very happy to have them.
“But Mo is a personal favourite of mine.”
Asked about which superstars are next on the wish list for Saudi Arabia, having already attracted Neymar, Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo, Emenalo kept his cards close to his chest, but insisted world-class players ‘want to come’.
“I can’t reveal what the plans are,” he said.
“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. This information is now spreading. And these players are happy to be able to join us.”
Salah has started the 2023/24 season in fine form despite the speculation over his future.
The winger has five goals and four assists in eight Premier League games, while he has also netted in the Europa League against LASK.
