Salah's Anfield Farewell: The Saudi Millions Await, But What About the Glory?
It feels strange to even type it, but here we are. Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian King who graced Anfield for seven incredible seasons, is on his way out. He arrived in 2017 for a then-club record £34 million and leaves as a bona fide legend, with 211 goals in 349 appearances, a Premier League title, a Champions League, and countless individual accolades. His last season still saw him bag 18 league goals and 10 assists, proving he's far from finished. But the new Arne Slot era means a fresh start for Liverpool, and that means a Salah-less future. So, where does a 32-year-old superstar, still capable of tearing defenses apart, go next?
The Saudi Arabian Gold Rush
Let's be real, the most obvious destination is Saudi Arabia. Al-Ittihad came knocking last summer with a reported £150 million offer, which Liverpool, to their credit, flat-out rejected. That kind of money doesn't just disappear. The Saudi Pro League is desperate for marquee names, and Salah is arguably the biggest fish left on their wish list. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar – they're all there. Salah would instantly become the face of the league, earning a salary that would make even his current reported £350,000-a-week Liverpool deal look like pocket change. We're talking north of £100 million a year, tax-free. He'd join former teammate Fabinho at Al-Ittihad, or perhaps link up with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. It's a comfortable, lucrative move, and given his age and incredible career earnings already, it's hard to fault him for taking it. Thing is, for a player who still clearly loves to compete, is that really enough?
A European Swan Song?
Here's the thing: Salah still has gas in the tank. He finished the 2023-24 season with more goal contributions than any other Liverpool player. Could he be tempted by one last crack at a major European trophy with a different big club? Bayern Munich always seems to be in the market for a world-class winger, especially if Serge Gnabry moves on. Imagine Salah cutting in from the right at the Allianz Arena, linking up with Harry Kane. Paris Saint-Germain is another option, particularly with Kylian Mbappé finally off to Real Madrid. PSG needs a new superstar to sell shirts and lead their attack. They've got the money, and the Ligue 1 title is practically a given, offering a chance for more silverware. Real talk, I think a move to PSG would be a mistake. The French league isn't competitive enough to keep a player of Salah's caliber truly sharp, and the constant drama around that club would just be exhausting.
The Wildcard: A Return to Italy?
Remember Salah's time at Roma and Fiorentina? He was electric in Serie A before Klopp brought him to England. A return to Italy, perhaps to a resurgent AC Milan or even Juventus, could be an intriguing, albeit less likely, option. Both clubs are looking to rebuild their European standing and could use a proven goalscorer and creator. Milan finished second in Serie A last season with 75 points, and adding Salah could close the gap on Inter. Juventus, under new management, also needs a jolt of star power. It'd be a romantic narrative, but the financial packages wouldn't come close to Saudi Arabia or even PSG. My hot take? Salah should go to Saudi Arabia, cement his financial future, and be the undisputed king of that league. He’s done everything he can in Europe.
I predict Salah will sign a two-year deal with Al-Ittihad, earning a staggering £120 million per season, and become the biggest name in Saudi football by Christmas.