After a week or so of quiet, it has been a busy day of Mohamed Salah transfer news. It appeared likely that the Egyptian King was heading to Beşiktaş not so long ago, with widespread reports suggesting he had agreed a move to the Black Eagles. However, two other interested parties have very much entered the fray.
As reported by Gianluigi Longari of Sportitalia, Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad have "submitted an improved offer" to Salah's representatives, determined to bring him to Jeddah. This comes after, as Longari notes, Trabzonspor had seemingly become the front-runners to sign the 34 year old.
Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu claimed earlier in the day that Trabzonspor have "reached an agreement" with the Egyptian forward, adding that a two-year contract has been agreed. So, that is now two Turkish and one Saudi club determined to land his signature, alongside Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer, albeit the Liverpool legend did not seem so keen on a move to Missouri.
His preference has always been to remain in Europe, but could Al-Ittihad change his mind?
Will Mohamed Salah join Al-Ittihad?
It was always widely accepted that, whenever he did leave Liverpool, Salah would be heading to the Saudi Pro League. Ever since the big-spending project over there really took off, the Egyptian King has always been their dream signing.
Back in the summer of 2023, Liverpool rejected a £150 million bid from Al-Ittihad, which would have made him the third-most expensive player of all-time, behind Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. Considering Salah scored 34 goals across all competition in 2024/25, almost single-handily firing Arne Slot's team to the Premier League title, they'll feel vindicated in turning that enormous offer down.
Now though, Saudi clubs have toned down spending. The Public Investment Fund have pulled out of LIV Golf, as well as scaling back spending on numerous other projects due to falling oil prices. Also, given all the uncertainty in the region, perhaps the Middle East is a less attractive place for Salah and his family to live. Nevertheless, it appears they are still prepared to offer eye-watering money in attempt to bring him to King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
On the pitch, following the sacking of Sérgio Conceição, 38 year old German Jens Wissing is the new man in charge at Al-Ittihad, having previously been head coach of Ganba Ōsaka. By finishing fifth in the Saudi Pro League, the Tigers will enter the AFC Champions League Elite in the preliminary round, favourites to beat Al-Jazira in Abu Dhabi next Tuesday to get into the league phase. They were Saudi champions in both 2023 and 2025, led by Nuno Espírito Santo and Laurent Blanc respectively.
Thus, they are one of the strongest sides in Asia, but reporting strongly suggests that Salah's preference has always been to remain in Europe. Well, given that Saudi Pro League clubs are only permitted to register ten foreign players, they would have to make space for Salah in their squad.
Al-Ittihad's current foreign players
- Predrag Rajković: Goalkeeper - Serbia.
- Stephane Keller: Centre-back - Cameroon.
- Jan-Carlo Simić: Centre-back - Serbia.
- Danilo Pereira: Defensive midfielder - Portugal.
- Fabinho: Defensive midfielder - Brazil.
- Mahamadou Doumbia: Central midfielder - Mali
- Bryant Ortega: Central midfielder - Venezuela.
- Unai Hernández: Central midfielder - Spain.
- Houssem Aouar: Attacking midfielder - Algeria.
- Steven Bergwijn: Winger - Netherlands.
- Roger Fernandes: Winger - Portugal.
- Moussa Diaby: Winger - France.
- George Ilenikhena: Centre forward - Nigeria.
- Youssef En-Nesyri: Centre forward - Morocco.
Considering the cap on foreign players being ten, a limit which certain clubs are seeking to remove, Al-Ittihad currently have a lot of work to do in the transfer market. Reports suggest that Moussa Diaby, formerly of Aston Villa, could push for a move back to Europe, which would open up a spot on the right wing for Salah.
Irrespective of which current players would have to fall by the way side, any Saudi club would love to have Salah, and signing him up would be massive vindication for the entire project. It does seem more likely, at this stage, that he'll be heading to Türkiye, but things could change very quickly.
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