Mohamed Salah still hasn’t signed a new deal at Liverpool. (Image: Getty)
could leave for Saudi Arabia earlier than expected this summer after introduced a dramatic rule change over transfers. It’s looking increasingly likely the Egyptian star will depart Anfield this summer, having still failed to agree an extension to his current contract.
Salah has long been pursued by the Saudi Pro League, with reigning champions Al-Hilal now reportedly the frontrunners for his signature.
And it’s the club’s involvement in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup that could now prove key to a potential deal.
The FIFA Council have approved regulations for a unique transfer window to take place before the tournament kicks off. Clubs will be allowed to sign players between June 1 and June 10, meaning Salah could complete a free transfer elsewhere despite his deal running until the end of the month.
The four-time Asian Champions League winners can now offer the 32-year-old the carrot of playing in the 32-team event in the US. And while the expanded format has been met with criticism in Europe, Al-Hilal are said to be taking it extremely seriously with Pro League chiefs eying an opportunity to showcase their top-flight.
Jorge Jesus’ side have also been drawn in the same group as . The fixture between the pair at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami is likely to attract a global audience.
Neymar has had his contract cancelled at Al-Hilal. (Image: Getty)
FIFA has claimed the new regulation has been designed to help participating clubs, saying the alterations “seek to address technicalities and equalise inconsistencies created by different registration periods.”
And Al-Hilal’s approach for Salah could be further boosted by the early cancellation of Neymar’s contract. The Brazilian joined the club in July 2023 in a £86million deal, but three months later suffered a serious knee injury in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
His two-year contract was reportedly worth a mammoth £250m, but despite returning to action in October, he was immediately sidelined again with a hamstring problem. This week, the club then confirmed his contract had been terminated by mutual consent.
It now means space in the squad for another marquee star to arrive on big wages, which seemingly paves the way for Al-Hilal to pursue Salah more aggressively. The current league leaders already have former stars like Joan Cancelo, Ruben Neves, and Aleksandar Mitrovic in their ranks.
chiefs are still hopeful of persuading Salah to stay on Merseyside. But the player himself reportedly , with Al-Hilal more than capable of enhancing his current deal.