Egypt legend Mido believes Mohamed Salah’s move to the Saudi Pro League is only a matter of time with the Liverpool superstar entering the final two years of his contract at the Premier League giants.
With the Saudi window closing last week, the Liverpool fans can sleep a little easier for the next few months. But, make no mistake, the ‘Salah to Saudi’ saga is only just beginning. And what the Middle Eastern moneymen want, they usually get.
“First and foremost, (Mohamed) Salah is one of the best players on the planet,” Michael Emenalo, the Saudi Pro League’s director, told Sky Sports after Al-Ittihad failed with a £150 million bid for the Egyptian.
“I’ve said before, privately and publicly, that we welcome anybody that wants to come to the SPL. That includes Salah.
“We close no doors. And if the opportunity is there to do things and do it well, and it brings Mo Salah to the SPL, we’ll be very grateful.”
By this time next year, Salah will have less than 12 months left on his Liverpool contract. And Mido, who played over 50 times for Egypt between 2001 and 2009, believes that his superstar compatriot will bring an end to his dazzling Anfield career sooner rather than later, departing for much less than the staggering £150 million fee Al-Ittihad offered at the end of the window.
Mo Salah could leave Liverpool for Saudi Arabia
“Mohamed Salah will go to the Saudi Pro League. But it will be a good thing if he manages to win the Premier League title first this season,” Mido tells King Fut.
“After the next season, he will have only one season left on his contract with Liverpool. Next year, Liverpool will not be able to ask for more than £70 or 80 or 100 million for the sale of Mohamed Salah.
“Especially with only one year remaining on his contract.”
Finding a player capable of replicating Salah’s influence and his remarkable goal tally would be easier said than done, of course, but one Anfield hero believes that the Egyptian’s departure would represent one hell of an opportunity for two players capable of stepping into his shoes.
‘An incredible footballer’
“(Liverpool will be) weaker (if Salah goes). What they won’t have is that reliability that he gives you, even when he’s playing badly. He does it year-in, year-out,” Murphy tells talkSPORT (30 August, 11.40am).
“He scores consistently, 25-plus (goals). He’s an incredible footballer.
“What I think you would find is that, if Gakpo or Jota was to fill in on the right-hand side if Salah left, what you would find is their output would become greater. And actually there is an argument to be made that, like what Henderson did when (Steven) Gerrard left, the flower blooms more because they are allowed more game time and more space. A bigger platform, if you like.
“So, I think Liverpool would cope fine.
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