One of the most significant recent developments in world of football has been the rise of the Saudi Arabian league. The state’s Public Investment Fund has taken over four clubs as part of a continuing effort to pivot away from relying on fossil fuel wealth, increasing its viability as a venue for sport and leisure pursuits. This follows major investments in boxing, golf and Newcastle United.
Several high-profile footballers will be plying their τɾɑԀє in the Arab state next season, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté and Ruben Neves.
As the world’s most high-profile Arab footballer, Mohamed Salah is now ɾєρօɾτedly a major target for the Saudi football project.
Salah is one year into a ƄłօƈƙƄυȿτєɾ contract atLiverpool, but the rumoured wages of the likes of Benzema are significantly higher. Could the Egyptian King be convinced to make a shock move?
On the latest episode of ourJourno Insightshow, we asked experiencedLFCjournalist Neil Jones for his thoughts on the links.
Neil said:
“I think it’s quite obvious that he would be the jewel in the crown almost, with Ronaldo.
“I’ve spoken to a few Egyptian people recently and their feeling is it’s almost inevitable. It’s inevitable that they’ll come calling and it’ll be up to him.
“I don’t expect it this summer. I don’t think there’s a world whereLiverpoolthink it’s too good to say ‘no’ to.
“He’s one that you’d say: ‘He’s never going to go anywhere.’ I don’t think you can say he’ll never go anywhere now. I don’t expect it at the moment.
“The Egyptian people who know the situation a bit better around that, I think they feel like it’ll be late in his career that he would do that. But again, who knows?
“I wouldn’t like to put this cloud over people, but we probably are looking at the last couple of seasons of Mo Salah as aLiverpoolplayer anyway, aren’t we?
“This only adds to that feeling, but I don’t think he’ll go this summer.”
