Mo Salah’s Potential Saudi Pro League Exclusion: Agent Rule Threatens Transfer

Amidst the backdrop of a turbulent transfer window, Mohamed Salah’s potential move to the Saudi Pro League has taken center stage. Despite Liverpool rejecting a whopping £150 million bid from Al Ittihad, the saga continues to unfold, with an agent’s actions now looming large over the transfer.

The initial offer for the Egyptian superstar, standing at approximately £100 million with add-ons pushing it to £150 million, was met with stern resistance from Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, remained resolute in his stance that Salah was not for sale and would remain at the club.

Nevertheless, Michael Emenalo, the Saudi Pro League’s director of football, made it clear that the door for Salah’s potential move was not firmly shut. The burgeoning league still harbors hopes of securing his services, possibly in the upcoming January transfer window or next summer.

Emenalo conveyed this sentiment, stating, “If it didn’t happen, it’s not because we no longer fancy the player or have a problem with Liverpool. It’s because certain factors that needed to align among all parties involved didn’t come together. Nobody is upset; we move forward, but we keep our options open. If the opportunity arises to bring Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League, we would all welcome it.”

While Salah’s transfer to Saudi Arabia remains a distinct possibility, there’s a notable caveat that could derail the deal. Reports suggest that Salah’s agent may attempt to pit Saudi clubs against each other in a bid to inflate his client’s salary. Such tactics could spell trouble for the proposed transfer.

This situation brings to light a set of ground rules established by the Saudi Pro League earlier this year. The league recommended a list of 24 potential summer signings, primarily comprising players in their early 30s, many of whom were free agents from European clubs. Two crucial rules were laid out: players with annual salaries exceeding $3 million (£2.29 million) require league approval, and teams must refrain from engaging in negotiations that could be construed as a bidding war. Violation of these rules by any player or agent could result in immediate blacklisting.

As the transfer window drama continues, the fate of Mohamed Salah’s move to the Saudi Pro League hangs in the balance, with the actions of his agent poised to play a pivotal role in this high-stakes football saga.