Salah Edges Closer to Saudi Pro League Exit as Liverpool Weigh Summer Decision
Liverpool face a defining decision over Mohamed Salah’s future this summer, with growing signals that a high-profile move to the Saudi Pro League is becoming increasingly realistic. As reported by Anfield Watch on 6 February 2026, interest from Saudi giants Al-Ittihad has intensified, placing fresh pressure on the club’s hierarchy to determine their long-term strategy.
Salah, now 33, remains one of Liverpool’s most influential figures, but financial realities, internal tensions, and external offers are converging at a critical moment in his Anfield career.
Contract Situation and Recent Tensions
Salah signed a lucrative new deal in the closing stages of the 2024/25 season, committing his future to Liverpool until 2027 on a reported salary of £400,000 per week. At the time, he was widely regarded as one of the finest players in world football, having collected individual honours alongside a Premier League title.
However, relations between player and club have not always been smooth since. According to Anfield Watch, the forward “fell out with his higher-ups before jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations,” during which he accused the club of “throwing him under the bus” and admitted that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot was “non-existent”.
These tensions escalated when Salah was left out of the squad for a Champions League fixture against Inter, a decision jointly taken by Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes. Although he was later reintegrated into the side, sources suggest that trust was strained during this period.
While the relationship is believed to have improved, doubts remain over whether it can be fully restored long-term.
Al-Ittihad Pursuit and Saudi Pro League Ambitions
Leading the race for Salah’s signature is Al-Ittihad, one of the Saudi Pro League’s flagship clubs. Their pursuit has gained momentum following significant squad changes, including the departures of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté.
Benzema’s exit, in particular, has created substantial space in the wage structure. The former Real Madrid striker was reportedly earning close to £1 million per week, freeing up resources for another marquee signing.
Portuguese outlet A Bola has confirmed that Salah is now Al-Ittihad’s top priority. The report states: “Al-Ittihad, managed by Sérgio Conceição, has Mohamed Salah as its main target to fill the void left by Karim Benzema in the next transfer window.”
With Conceição’s strong links to Portuguese media, the information is considered well-sourced. Saudi clubs continue to prioritise globally recognisable players, and Salah’s commercial appeal in the Middle East makes him an especially attractive target.
Liverpool’s Financial and Sporting Calculations
From Liverpool’s perspective, the coming window represents a delicate balancing act. Allowing Salah to enter the final years of his contract without clarity risks diminishing his market value, while selling him too early could weaken the squad’s attacking output.
Anfield Watch reports that “Salah is set to leave the club at the end of the current season if an appropriate offer is made,” highlighting the club’s openness to negotiations under the right conditions.
Since arriving in 2017, Salah has delivered sustained excellence, helping Liverpool win multiple major honours. He has scored consistently across domestic and European competitions, becoming one of the most prolific forwards in club history.
Yet, Liverpool’s recruitment model under Slot and Hughes increasingly prioritises younger, developing talent. Recent signings reflect a long-term strategy built around sustainability and resale value. In that context, a substantial Saudi bid could be viewed as an opportunity to reinvest across several positions.
With Financial Fair Play considerations and squad renewal both in focus, the financial upside of a Saudi transfer is difficult to ignore.
What Salah’s Departure Would Mean for Anfield
Should Salah leave for the Saudi Pro League, it would mark the end of an era at Anfield. Few players in modern Liverpool history have matched his consistency, availability, and output over such an extended period.
Beyond goals and assists, Salah has been a central figure in Liverpool’s global brand, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East. His departure would inevitably reshape the club’s commercial profile as well as its tactical structure.
Sporting sources close to the club suggest that contingency plans are already being explored, with recruitment staff analysing potential replacements capable of operating in Slot’s evolving system. Whether Liverpool pursue a like-for-like winger or redistribute attacking responsibility remains unclear.
For now, discussions are expected to continue behind the scenes. Saudi interest is unlikely to fade, and Liverpool’s leadership must soon decide whether to resist, negotiate, or embrace a transition.
As Anfield Watch concludes, “The Salah era looks set to end this summer with Liverpool set to cash in on a bumper offer from the Saudi Pro League.” If that assessment proves accurate, the coming months could define both Salah’s legacy and Liverpool’s next chapter.
