Mohamed Salah has revealed that when it looked like his Liverpool contract was not going to be renewed, he considered moving to the Saudi Pro League.
Ever since the Egyptian’s contract became a topic of conversation, there were concrete links suggesting he could make the move to Saudi Arabia where he likely would have earned some truly ridiculous figures.
As it turns out, he’s not exactly getting a raw deal. Paul Joyce reported at the time of his renewal that he is now earning £480,000 per week to leade the Liverpool line for another two years.
That will work out to just over £2 million per month and roughly £24.9m per year. Or, just shy of £50m for his two-year extension.
While it’s difficult to argue any person deserves that much money, in football terms, there is barely a footballer around at the moment that should be earning close to these figures aside from Salah.
This season, he is the highest scoring and assisting player in Europe’s top five leagues and has officially equalled the record for most goal involvements (47) in a single season.
He joins Andy Cole and Alan Shearer but Salah’s record is more impressive given Cole and Shearer did it when league seasons lasted 42 games while Salah had just 38 to match them.
Fortunately, Liverpool fans will see him go again next campaing but Salah has revealed it was almost not the case.
Mohamed Salah seriously considered making the switch to the Saudi Pro League before agreeing fresh terms with Liverpool
In an interview with ON Sport, Salah was asked about what his plans would have been had he not reached an agreement with Liverpool over his new £480,000 per week contract.
“My contract was about to end at the club and I thought if I didn’t renew there I was a very good chance that I would go there,” Salah admitted.
“In the end we reached an agreement with the club but I still have a good relationship with the people in Saudi Arabia.
“Of course, [the fans] put pressure on the club. It came from the public, because I have been at the club for seven or eight years and have been performing well for them and I have given them everything.
“From the beginning, I knew that they wanted me to stay, so in they had a big role.”
Liverpool fans will not forget the transparency Salah showcased while his contract was approaching its expiry and how he made sure fans were aware he wanted to stay.
To two more years of Liverpool’s best ever Premier League attacker!!!