Report: Saudi club set to reignite interest in signing Liverpool star | OneFootball

Salah, Al Ittihad and Liverpool: Saudi pursuit reignites as Anfield era nears its end

Transfer landscape shifts around Salah

There is a sense of inevitability gathering around Mohamed Salah’s future, the kind that hangs in the air long before the final whistle is blown. Liverpool’s talisman has confirmed he will leave at the end of the season, and already the machinery of global football is whirring into motion.

According to ESPN, Al Ittihad have resumed their pursuit of Salah, rekindling interest that first surfaced in dramatic fashion back in 2023. Then, a staggering £150 million bid was rejected outright by Liverpool, a statement of intent from a club unwilling to part with its most decisive forward. Now, circumstances have shifted. Time, contracts and sentiment have altered the balance.

The Saudi Pro League side are once again positioning themselves to land a marquee figure, seeking not just a footballer but a symbol. Salah, with his global reach and relentless productivity, fits that brief perfectly.

Photo: IMAGO

Al Ittihad ambition grows in Saudi Pro League

Al Ittihad’s renewed interest is not merely opportunistic; it reflects a broader strategy unfolding across Saudi football. With Karim Benzema having moved on to Al Hilal, there is a vacuum to be filled — a need for a new centrepiece, a player who can carry both expectation and commercial appeal.

Sources indicate that Al Qadsiah may be the only other club capable of matching Al Ittihad financially, yet the race appears far from crowded. Neither Al Hilal nor Al Nassr, despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence at the latter, are currently in contention for Salah’s signature.

This narrows the field and sharpens the focus. Al Ittihad’s intent is clear: secure Salah as the face of their next chapter.

Liverpool legacy defines Salah era

Salah’s story at Liverpool is already etched into club folklore. His numbers alone tell a compelling tale: 255 goals in 435 appearances, placing him third on the club’s all-time scoring list. Only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt stand above him, and both belong to different eras of dominance.

Beyond statistics, there is context. Salah arrived from Roma in 2017 and transformed Liverpool’s attacking identity. His goals powered title challenges, lifted the Premier League trophy and helped deliver a Champions League triumph. Eight major honours later, his contribution is beyond dispute.

Yet, football rarely allows sentiment to dictate outcomes. Despite signing a contract extension in April 2025, tying him to the club until 2027, the dynamics have shifted. Sources suggest he will be permitted to leave on a free transfer, a decision that underscores both his service and Liverpool’s evolving priorities.

There have been moments of friction too. Salah himself admitted frustration, accusing the club of throwing him “under the bus” during a difficult spell. His form dipped, he was briefly sidelined, and the sense of a chapter closing became harder to ignore.

Next chapter looms for Salah future

At 33, Salah stands at a crossroads familiar to many elite players: the transition from legacy-building to legacy-defining. A move to Al Ittihad would not diminish his achievements; rather, it would reposition him within a different narrative — one driven by expansion, influence and financial power.

For Liverpool, the challenge lies in succession. Replacing a player of Salah’s calibre is not a matter of simple recruitment. It requires recalibration, a rethinking of how goals are distributed and how matches are won.

For Salah, the decision will shape the final act of a remarkable career. Whether he chooses Saudi Arabia or another destination, the outcome will resonate far beyond Merseyside.

As ESPN reports, discussions are ongoing, and the situation remains fluid. Yet the direction of travel feels increasingly clear. Salah’s time at Liverpool, defined by brilliance and consistency, is approaching its conclusion.

What comes next will be watched closely — not just because of where he goes, but because of what he leaves behind.