Mohamed Salah has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia but a former midfielder believes he should return to Italy
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah could be on the move from Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah has been predicted to reject overtures from Saudi Pro League clubs upon his departure from Anfield, opting instead to continue his career in Europe. Despite enduring a campaign where the Egyptian has failed to reach his customary standards, Salah is attracting attention from the Middle East ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann believes he may opt for a return to Italy instead. "Salah's future depends on whether Liverpool want a transfer fee, as well as his wages, but the Italians always appreciate an older player more than we do in Germany and maybe in England," Hamann explained.
"If you look at Inter, if you look at other clubs, they've got managers who are older than the ones in other countries. They've got the players, if you look at Inter. And obviously, he had a spell at Roma, so he's been there before. Maybe he's got unfinished business in Serie A.
"And there are some brilliant clubs. If you look at Roma, they haven't really been on the map in the last few years. What a wonderful story that would be if he went back to Roma. Then obviously with the Milan clubs, you always have a chance in the league.
"They've both done well in the Champions League in recent years. I wouldn't say Saudi is the only destination. It's probably the most likely one, but I think there will be one or two clubs who will be sniffing once they hear that he might go and Italy might just be perfect."
Salah was the target of a £150 million offer from Al Ittihad in 2023, which Liverpool swiftly dismissed. This summer, however, speculation will be widespread about fresh attempts from the Saudi Pro League to attract another major star.
With Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, the region could benefit from securing another high-profile name. Salah, as one of the finest players in the world over the past decade or so, would be ideal.
"I didn't really understand when Salah said he's done so much for the club and shouldn't need to fight for his place every single day," Hamann continued. "I think he should fight; he has to fight for his place.
"I think they found a good solution, but maybe it would have been best for both sides if they had gone their separate ways in the winter. At the same time, I don't really want to see the end of an era for a player who has won everything.
"People still talk now, years later, about Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Salah. Salah and Mane didn't get on the best, but on the pitch, they were just dynamite, the pair of them. Firmino linked it all together. It would have been sad to see it end this way during the season.
Mohamed Salah during a Liverpool game
Mohamed Salah could leave Liverpool(Image: PA)
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"So I think they probably made the right call, especially because Liverpool is a bit different in that respect with the way they treat managers and their players. He's got a year left on his contract now. Is he the same player? No, he's not. And I mentioned it before, he has struggled to score goals from open play since Christmas last year.
"So, is there a chance he's going to leave in the summer? I think, yes, there is. I don't know the financial situation, but Liverpool probably has to bring in at least one quality winger, a player who makes a difference. Maybe a squad player is not enough, maybe you need somebody who starts as a regular.
"I think he could have gone last year or two years ago, but he didn't. I'm not sure he wants to go, but I think there's a chance that maybe they go their separate ways in the summer."
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