With the emergence of the Saudi Pro League this summer and the huge spending spree their clubs went on in order to bring in high profile and incredibly well known European footballing talent, many in the wider world of the sport are expecting another big splash when the transfer window opens again in the New Year, and given all the rumour mill speculation that surrounded the future of Liverpool and Egyptian wizard Mohamed Salah, his name will undoubtedly continue to do the rounds over the next few months.
As it happened, the SPL transfer deadline closed a week after the European one did, but no move for Salah was finalised even though it has been claimed that the Anfield outfit rejected a late offer of around £150 million from Al-Ittihad for the 31 year old, sticking to their line that he was not for sale this summer. There was no fun88 in a deal being done.
SPL chief and director of football, Michael Emenalo, was recently discussing the league’s business with Sky Sports given they spent over £700 million to bring in the players that they did, and he would not rule out further attempts to lure the attacker to them in the future.
“First and foremost, Mohamed Salah is one of the best players on the planet. I’ve said before, privately and publicly that we welcome anybody that wants to come and that includes Salah. But we have to do things in a very professional and respectful manner. That’s what we’re there for, it’s what the SPL has been refined to do – bring professionalism, respect of efficiencies, and to do things in a competent way.”
“If it didn’t happen, it’s not because we no longer fancy the player, or because we have a problem with Liverpool. It’s because certain things that need to align for all the parties involved in the process didn’t align. Nobody is angry, we move on, but we absolutely close no doors and if the opportunity is there to do things and do it well – and it brings Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League we will all be very grateful.”
With Salah scoring against Aston Villa ahead of the international break, it takes his Liverpool tally to 188 goals in 309 games, and it is patently obvious why the SPL would like to see him make the move there and play his own part in helping to boost their profile, in the way their captures of the likes of Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo have in more recent weeks.
They are far from alone in having made the move as well as plenty of former Premier League stars have made the switch this summer, and as you at least listen to Emenalo, he keeps referencing a long term project for the league so few will think this was a one off splurge and that speculation will not be rife again come the next window.
Whether or not that does mean further interest in Salah is open for debate, but Liverpool fans will be hoping that his contract length keeps him safe for the next season or two at least.
