Saudi Arabian clubs must self-fund any move for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah in January, GIVEMESPORT can reveal.
The league's Player Acquisition Center of Excellence (PACE), led by sporting director Michael Emenalo, has already allocated its seasonal budget to clubs and no additional funds will be made available for the forward if he leaves Liverpool.
Speaking at the World Football Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Pro League CEO Omar Mugharbel confirmed that Salah is "one of our targets" but insisted it's up to the clubs to lead on a deal. That may change come summer when a new seasonal budget is made available.
Saudi Clubs Will Receive no Support in Salah Bids
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Saudi clubs have around €2bn allocated per season to spend on transfer fees, wages and agent fees. And although some reports have suggested an additional budget will be ring-fenced to try and bring Salah to Saudi Arabia this winter, GMS has learned that is not the case.
Central funding is not split equally between the clubs, and is based on their needs, and once allocated unspent funds are not returned. It means the 2025/26 budget is locked in, and the Saudi sides who want Salah must use what the league has already given them or their own funds. Clubs can also seek private support, which was partly how Al-Hilal financed their move for Neymar.
Liverpool want Salah to stay and see out his contract and the ball is currently in the 33-year-old's court as a consequence. Salah would have to make it clear to Liverpool he wants to leave in January and provide exit options, and only then would Anfield chiefs engage to try and find a solution.
Al-Hilal Seen as Saudi Favourite to Sign Salah
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah looks dejected
Al-Hilal are viewed as the frontrunner from within Saudi for Salah having tried to sign him ahead of the Club World Cup. Yet Malcom, who is contracted until 2027, would likely have to leave for a winter move to materialise.
NEOM SC and Al-Qadsiah are two other interested clubs from the Kingdom. Qadsiah have the advantage of being able to fund any deal via their oil-rich owner Aramco.
Al-Ittihad bid £150m for Salah in summer 2023 so they can't be entirely discounted, but it's not thought they are not in a position to move in January. Karim Benzema's future at the club is unclear and should he leave this summer when his contract expires, the Jeddah-based club could reignite their interest. For now, their foreign quota of players is also full.
Saudi clubs are prepared to pay a fee for Salah, and one surpassing the €53m-plus-add-ons package that saw Darwin Nunez leave Liverpool for Anfield, but Saudi Pro League insiders insist they don't want to be drawn into a game between the Egyptian striker and Liverpool, and will only make a move if he becomes genuinely available and affordable this summer.
Salah Gaining Interest from Clubs Worldwide
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Clubs in Spain and Italy are also alert to Salah's situation, but it remains to be seen whether they can afford the outlay required to sign him.
MLS sides San Diego, Chicago Fire and Inter Miami have also discussed signing Salah. San Diego are owned by British-Egyptian Sir Mohamed Mansour, but their priority to date has been on investing in youth.
Chicago Fire presented an offer to Salah prior to him renewing at Liverpool. And Inter Miami have the budget to add another big star. The recent MLS Cup champions are currently in talks to try and extend Luis Suarez, who is out of contract following the win over Vancouver. Salah is certainly a name they appreciate but no meaningful move has yet been made by David Beckham's franchise.
Suitors aren't yet clear whether there is a genuine opportunity this winter with clubs still waiting on the outcome of talks between Liverpool and Salah ahead of his departure to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt.
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