Mohamed Salah was reported in Liverpool training on Tuesday as doubts grow over the star’s future at the Premier League champions, with the Saudi Arabian clubs eyeing a move for the striker in the winter transfer window.
The 33-year-old Egyptian forward was left out of Liverpool’s squad for the Champions League clash at Inter Milan on Tuesday following his extremely public criticism of Reds boss Arne Slot after he was benched for a third game in a row.
Salah said after Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Leeds that he felt Liverpool had “thrown him under the bus” and no longer had a relationship with Slott, sparking reports that Liverpool’s third-highest scorer in history could leave Anfield in January despite signing a lucrative new contract in April.
On Tuesday he posted a picture of himself training alone in Liverpool’s weight room.
Salah’s outburst has sparked interest in Saudi Arabia with a source at the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) saying AFP will do “whatever he can” to buy him.
“We are following Salah’s position thoroughly and we believe there could be a move either by loan or by buying his contract,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Asked at a pre-match press conference in Milan on Monday whether Salah, who has scored 250 times for Liverpool since signing from Roma in 2017, had played his last game for the Reds, Slott replied: “I have no idea.”
“He has every right to feel what he feels, but he has no right to share it with the media,” Slott added.
the Saudi source said AFP There have been “no direct negotiations or talks with the club at the moment but there will be a move at the right time”.
The PIF source said the Gulf monarchy wanted to sign the Egyptian winger in January to join stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.
PIF owns a 75% stake in Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, but the source said it was not alone in wanting the Arab world’s biggest football star.
“There is a competition within the Saudi league who will bring Salah,” the source said, adding that the Al Qadsiah club backed by Saudi state oil and gas company Aramco were also keen.
Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr, Salah’s former Liverpool teammate Darwin Nunez is for Al-Hillal, another former Premier League player of the season, N’Golo Kante is for Al-Ittihad, but Salah is the biggest star from an Arab country along with Paris Saint-Germain’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi.
Salah, who was not even used as a substitute at Elland Road, is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations after next weekend’s Premier League home game with Brighton.
He said he was “very, very disappointed” to be named among the substitutes at Leeds again, adding: “I got a lot of promises in the summer and I’ve been on the bench for three games so far, so I can’t say they keep the promise.
“I said many times before this, I had a good relationship with the manager and suddenly we have no relationship.
“Big impact in the Saudi League”
“I don’t know why, but it seems to me, the way I see it, that someone doesn’t want me at the club.”
Salah made his explosive comments amid a dismal season for both himself and Liverpool.
He has played a key role in Liverpool’s two Premier League titles and one Champions League triumph during his iconic spell on Merseyside.
But he has been a shadow of his former self during Liverpool’s run this season – the title holders are 10th in the Premier League – with just four goals in 13 top-flight appearances.
“All players have their ups and downs. Salah is only 33 and has a lot to do here,” the PIF source insisted.
“Salah is a beloved footballer around the world and will have a huge impact on the Saudi League both on and off the pitch.”
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