PIF-owned Saudi giants make HUGE decision that could impact Mo Salah deal

Liverpool rejected a staggering £150m offer for Mo Salah from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in September 2023 and now face losing him for nothing at the end of this season.

Very few Liverpool fans would argue that the club should have accepted that offer at that time, as it would’ve left the Reds without their talismanic attacker at a crucial point.

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However, there is now a real possibility that Salah could be heading in that direction without Liverpool receiving a single penny for him.

While a move to Al-Ittihad now appears off the cards, it’s now reported that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is growing in confidence about signing Salah next summer for one of its flagship clubs, a list which includes Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal already have a superstar on their books in Neymar, whose time in Saudi Arabia hasn’t gone exactly to plan so far.

The Brazilian’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season as well, and Salah could be lined up to replace him.

However, recent reports have stated that Neymar could come to a mutual termination agreement with the club which would allow him to leave in January and open up a place in the squad for a winter transfer for Salah.

Now another big decision made by Al-Hilal could provide Liverpool with a fresh clue as to the Saudi regime’s plans for Salah.

Neymar registered for the Asian Champions League

According to Kooora, the Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadh is reporting that Al-Hilal have made the decision to include Neymar in their winter list for registration for the Asian Champions League (ACL).

He is reportedly taking the place of former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who is set to leave the club.

Neymar has had a difficult time in Saudi Arabia, having torn his anterior cruciate ligament last October, and has only featured in 5 games in the past year. He has made a return to first-team action in recent weeks but looks likely to leave the club without making an impact.

By registering him for the ACL, Al-Hilal look to have given him one final chance to impress.

How does this affect Salah? After this week’s game against Al-Gharafa, Al-Hilal’s next ACL games take place in February, after the January transfer window has closed.

It means the Saudi side are committed to playing Neymar for the remainder of the season, and any approach for Salah will have to wait until the end of the season, rather than a sensational mid-season transfer.

While it is admittedly highly unlikely that Liverpool would accept any January bids for their star attacker, the prospect of losing him for free in addition to his growing frustration could have opened the door to a bid from the Saudi side.

With just over four weeks to go before Salah can sign a pre-contract agreement, Liverpool need to tie him down as soon as possible.

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