Mohamed Salah’s drama at Liverpool is easily the biggest story in football right now. The situation is being covered worldwide, including in the Saudi Arabia media.
There’s clearly an extra reason for local interest there. Should Salah leave Liverpool then the assumption has long been that the Saudi Pro League will be his destination.
The 33-year-old signed a new contract earlier this year. Liverpool were under pressure because his existing deal was expiring. There was the choice of paying colossal wages or losing the Egypt international for free. The Reds decided a new contract, on around £400k a week, was the correct answer. Of course, there’s always the possibility an exit – and incoming transfer fee – was always part of their plan.
Not many clubs are going to sign a player of Salah’s age on £400k a week, but there’s been claims Saudi clubs could even offer him a pay rise. On top of that would be a transfer fee to Liverpool.
Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadh now talk that down. It’s explained that those in charge of football in the country haven’t even decided if big investments are on the way soon.
New stance over Saudi wages
Mohamed Salah
FRANKFURT, GERMANY – 22 OCTOBER, 2025: Mohamed Salah – UEFA Champions League, match SG Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool FC at Deutsche Bank Park.
On top of that is a new intriguing stance. Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF) now believe ‘it is not necessary to pay a single riyal (local currency) more than the sums players receive in their Europe leagues’.
Al-Riyadh continue: ‘Saudi Arabia is not a difficult place to live in, but it is an opportunity and an advantage for those who live and work here, and given the quality of life in the Kingdom is much better than most European countries, we should not exaggerate in paying money to convince foreign professionals to come here.’
That would obviously be a new stance and contradict what has been the case previously.
Such a stance also entirely ignores that top footballers are attracted by the biggest leagues and competitions. Players have generally been moving to the Saudi Pro League for financial reasons, not quality of life.