Al-Hilal have reportedly emerged as the leading contender to sign Mohamed Salah if the Liverpool star moves to the Saudi Pro League when his contract expires.
Mail Sport reported in November that Salah has been viewed as the Saudi Pro League’s ‘dream’ signing next summer.
He was the subject of a failed £150million offer from Saudi club Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023.
As one of the most famous and popular figures in the Arab world, Salah would be a coup for the Saudi league, while the 32-year-old would likely command a sizeable salary.
According to the Telegraph, Al-Hilal have emerged as the likeliest of the Saudi Pro League clubs to land the Egyptian.
The club are one of four owned and bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, along with Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr.
Al-Hilal have reportedly emerged as the leading Saudi contender to sign Mohamed Salah
Salah could replace Neymar, after Al-Hilal terminated the Brazil legend’s lucrative contract
Al-Hilal are the reigning champions in Saudi Arabia and will compete in the Club World Cup
The reigning champions have created room in their squad after terminating Neymar’s contract, allowing the Brazilian to return to Santos.
Due to an ACL injury early into his £77.6 million move from PSG, the Brazilian legend only managed 428 minutes of action across 18 months.
He earned a reported £84.6million in 2024, but has reported foregone a large chunk of the £52m remaining on his contract to make the move.
Al-Hilal could reportedly look to replace Neymar with Salah, with the Egyptian seen as a marquee signing ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States.
The club will be the sole Saudi representatives for the expanded competition next summer.
Al-Hilal will look to advance from a group containing reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg and Mexican side Pachuca.
FIFA confirmed that it will give clubs the opportunity to make transfers between June 1 to 10, enabling teams to register players to be involved in the competition.
It opens the possibility that Salah could depart Liverpool for Al-Hilal at the end of his contract and feature in the tournament for the Saudi side.
Al-Hilal could look to sign Salah and register him ahead of the expanded Club World Cup
Salah’s future continues to be a major talking point and he has been linked with Saudi Arabia
Salah, 32, is one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players having scored 234 goals for the club
Salah, 32, is one of Liverpool’s all-time greatest players, with the Egyptian having scored a remarkable 234 goals in 381 games for the club since joining from Roma in 2017 for an initial £36.5million fee.
The forward has won eight trophies at Anfield and remains integral to Arne Slot’s side as they continue to impress so far this season.
Salah’s contract expires in the summer and the Egyptian is yet to extend his deal, with speculation over his future currently a major talking point.
The latest speculation on Salah comes just a day after Turki Alalshikh – the chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority – shared a picture of Salah in an Al-Hilal kit on his Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Salah has dropped repeated hints over recent months that this season could be his last at Anfield, although the club and player are said to be keen to agree fresh terms – and Mail Sport reported last month how the Reds have offered him a contract.
In an interview with Sky Sports in January, Salah even declared that ‘this is my last year’ with Liverpool as he outlined his intention to depart with the Premier League title.
Elsewhere, in November, Salah shocked the football world when he publicly called out the club for a lack of progress on offering him a new deal.
The forward conducted a rare interview with Mail Sport and a small group of other reporters after scoring twice in the 3-2 victory at Southampton, where he said he was ‘more out than in’.
Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh has reportedly signalled Al-Hilal’s intent to sign the Egyptian
Alalshikh shared a picture of Salah in an Al-Hilal kit on his Facebook page on Wednesday
Addressing his contract stand-off, Salah had said: ‘We are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club.
‘I’m probably more out than in. You know I have been in the club for many years.
‘There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said, it is December and I haven’t received anything yet about my future.
‘I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans’ hands.’