Former Egypt striker Mido has confirmed that Mo Salah’s transfer to the Saudi Pro League has been finalized.
Mohamed Salah, the renowned winger, has Saagreed to play in Saudi Pro League for the upcoming season according to the Egypt legend.
Reports had circulated during the summer linking Salah to a move to Saudi Arabia, specifically with Al-Ittifaq allegedly offering a contract exceeding £150 million.
Writing on X as quoted by Express Sport, Mido claimed that the deal had already been locked in. He said: “Mohamed Salah will be in the Saudi League next season. Contracts have been signed.”
Salah’s presence on the field has been sparse this year due to injury setbacks. Initially sidelined for 25 days after sustaining a hamstring injury while representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, he faced another setback during his comeback appearance for Liverpool against Brentford. Despite scoring a goal and assisting another in his 45-minute cameo, Salah suffered a muscle problem.
Throughout Liverpool’s Carabao Cup triumph, Salah made significant contributions, including a goal against West Ham in the quarter-finals. Since joining Liverpool in 2017, he has amassed an impressive tally of 205 goals, earning three Premier League Golden Boots.
Saad Al-Lazeez, the vice chairman of the Saudi Pro League, has emphasized the commitment to aggressive player acquisitions, evident in the staggering £700m expenditure during the recent summer transfer window. He emphasized this stance, stating: “This is a long-term investment. We are not in it for a season.
“We are pleased with what has been achieved so far. In fact, I think we are a bit ahead of schedule.”
Jordan Henderson, who stirred controversy with his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq last summer, became the first prominent player to depart the league upon joining Ajax in January.
Both he and Al-Lazeez are confident that this won’t discourage other players from joining the league. Henderson stated: “I think a lot of people would like me to sit here and criticise the Saudi thing and everything that went with that, but that certainly wasn’t the case and not something that I’m going to do.
“I’ve got full respect for the league and Al-Ettifaq, the club and the people over there. They really made me feel welcome. Unfortunately sometimes these things in life just don’t work out, in football and life in general.”
Al-Lazeez showed no regrets when it came to the former Liverpool star, saying: “Sometimes things do not work out, sometimes the player does not adapt, you expect these things to happen.
“But I still maintain Jordan Henderson was one of our best signings, we benefitted a great deal from this signing, we’re learning a lot of lessons and we will continue to grow from here.”
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