Salah ‘wants to leave’ Liverpool as Saudi suitor meets all demands including Ronaldo eclipse; two replacements lined up

Samuel Bannister 24 Aug 2023 3:00 PM

Mohamed Salah, Leroy Sane and Federico Chiesa

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah wants to leave and has not closed the door to a move to the Saudi Pro League, according to reports, and a new offer from Al-Ittihad could be decisive.

Al-Ittihad are trying to sign Salah after already buying Fabinho from Liverpool earlier in the summer. As one of the most high-profile Muslim athletes of all time, Salah has always seemed like an obvious target for the developing project in Saudi Arabia.

His agent has so far denied any rumour of him looking to leave Liverpool, but claims about his exit are getting stronger. According to Sport Italia, Al-Ittihad are preparing a new bid for Salah – who has never said no to the Saudi Pro League – to test the Reds’ resolve.

There is a feeling that Liverpool may finally buckle because of what could be on the table as a transfer fee.

Meanwhile, Alyaum claims Al-Ittihad will agree to any conditions requested by Liverpool and Salah himself. For example, he could become their highest-paid player, despite them also investing in reigning Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema recently.

And reports in Spain are suggesting Salah could actually become the best-paid player in the whole Saudi Pro League, not just at Al-Ittihad alone. That means he is in line to earn more than even Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr.

After a meeting in Doha between Al-Ittihad and Salah’s representatives, claims are also being thrown about suggesting Salah wants to leave Liverpool.

Chiesa or Sane to replace Salah?

It follows further speculation in Italy on the topic of who could replace Salah at Liverpool. Reports have suggested Federico Chiesa from Juventus and Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich are admired at Anfield.

Chiesa and Sane both have two years remaining on their contracts with their current clubs, both of whom value the players in the region of €50m (£42.8m).

Liverpool will no doubt be seeking a high transfer fee for Salah, who last year extended his contract with the club until 2025. If Al-Ittihad succeed in prising him away, there will be a void in Jurgen Klopp’s attack to fill.

Sane has previous Premier League experience from his spell with Manchester City, whereas Chiesa has never played for an English club before.

Either of them would have big shoes to fill if they replace Salah, who is an all-time Liverpool legend. But it appears he too could soon leave the club for Saudi Arabia after similar moves for Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino.

Liverpool Mohamed Salah Leroy Sane Federico Chiesa