Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah says his representatives held "serious negotiations" with clubs in Saudi Arabia before he penned a new two-year deal to keep him at Anfield until 2027.
Relatively late in the season, Salah put an end to speculation regarding his future by signing up for two more seasons at Liverpool. But he says he could have moved to the Middle East had an agreement with the Anfield side not arrived.
"I thought there was a good opportunity to join the Saudi Pro League," Salah is quoted as saying this weekend. "I believed I might go there if I didn't renew my contract with Liverpool.
"My relationship with people there [in Saudi Arabia] is still good and ongoing. There were serious negotiations to sign me."
Salah then went on to deny that there was anything serious with either Barcelona or Real Madrid during his contract saga. Asked about those rumors, he simply stated: "There was nothing."
"Liverpool fans were part of the contract renewal process," Salah, speaking to ON Sport and translated by the Daily Mail, continued. "They put pressure on the management because I’ve been at the club for seven years. From day one, I knew they wanted me to stay."
Mohamed Salah applauds the traveling Liverpool fans at Brighton
Mohamed Salah has been named as the Premier League Player of the Season (Image: Getty Images)
Throughout the season, Salah, who ended the campaign on 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions, hinted that he wanted to remain at Liverpool. But it took until April for an agreement to come.
"Of course I'm very excited — we have a great team now," Salah said when his contract was confirmed. "Before we also had a great team, but I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.
"I have played eight years here; hopefully it's going to be 10. I'm enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I have had the best years of my career here."
Salah, off the back of such a good season, has a good chance of winning the Ballon d'Or this season. He would have had an even better chance had Liverpool gone further in the Champions League but Arne Slot says he should be in the conversation.
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"He's had very, very, very good seasons at Liverpool but this one probably stands out in terms of numbers," Slot said on Friday. "And if you add to that we also won the league, that would probably give him a fair chance.
"But fortunately for all the football fans around the world, he's not the only player that has had a great season. I think we were able to watch great football players this season again.
"But if there's ever a chance for him, it would be this season. If not, then he's going to try to push even harder next season. That's what I already know with him."
Liverpool.com says: Salah has been in brilliant form and for most of the season, he was the best player on the planet. For that reason, him ending up in the Saudi league at this point in time would have been a real waste.
Fortunately, he has signed up for another two years at Liverpool. After that, though, the Saudi Pro League might await for a massive payday.