The Saudi Professional League has been even more exciting than the Premier League this summer, with a number of players in their mid-20s deciding to join the Middle East, not just stars over 30 years old, and the league has rapidly become as big as the Europa League.
Al-Ittihad, one of the strongest clubs in the league, has prepared a large sum of money to acquire Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah as the transfer market is coming to a close.
They offered a total of reportedly £150 million, but as expected, they did not even enter into negotiations, and a transfer this summer was off the table.
They are expected to try again next January or next summer with a huge offer. In response to this move by Saudi Arabia, former Portugal U-21 international Fabio Martins, who wears the number “10” at Al-Khaleej, cannot wait for the Egyptian King to land.
“If this transfer happens, it will be another big star arriving here to the country,”
“Playing against Salah would be very special too. It didn’t happen [this time] but I think in the next market in January, they will try for sure again to bring him, and let’s see what happens.”
“I will be very happy because Salah is a player that I like, he’s similar to me, because of the hair, the way he plays. So, I like Salah, and I hope that he comes to Saudi.”
Stats Perform at the Thinking Football Summit