Mohamed Salah is approaching the final year of his current deal at Anfield, and for the first time in nearly a decade, his departure from Liverpool feels less like a hypothetical worry and more like a looming certainty. It is the most significant transfer saga in European football right now, not just because of Salah’s enduring quality, but because of what his decision will represent for the global footballing hierarchy.
The Egyptian international remains the crown jewel of Jurgen Klopp’s legacy, though the German manager’s own exit has fundamentally shifted the landscape of the club. As the Merseyside outfit prepares for a new era, the hierarchy at Anfield faces a dilemma that would have been unthinkable two years ago: do they cash in on a 33-year-old icon or risk losing the Premier League’s most consistent goalscorer for nothing in 2026?
The Saudi Pro League remains the frontrunner
There is no escaping the gravitational pull of the Saudi Pro League (SPL) in this equation. Last summer, Al-Ittihad tested Liverpool’s resolve with a staggering verbal offer that reportedly neared the £150 million mark. Liverpool stood firm then, but the context has changed. Sources close to the Saudi recruitment strategy suggest that the pursuit of Salah is no longer just about talent; it is about identity. Salah is, by a wide margin, the most famous Arab athlete on the planet. For the SPL, he is the “White Whale.”
The financial packages being discussed in Riyadh are understood to be dwarf anything currently available in Europe. We are talking about numbers that would make Salah the highest-paid player in the history of the sport, potentially surpassing the deals handed to Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. But for Salah, the move isn’t just about the bank balance. It’s about the chance to become the face of a regional footballing revolution while still playing at a level high enough to lead Egypt into the next World Cup cycle.
Waiting for the American dream
While Saudi Arabia offers the most immediate financial windfall, Major League Soccer (MLS) provides a different kind of allure. Unlike the SPL, which is currently focused on top-down superstar recruitment, the American league offers a lifestyle and commercial bridge to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across North America.
San Diego FC, the league’s newest expansion franchise, and the established giants in Los Angeles have long been credited with an interest in Salah. The “Messi effect” has proven that the US market can provide a post-European career that is both lucrative and culturally massive. However, many in Salah’s inner circle believe he still has two or three seasons left at the very top of the European game. A move to the States might feel like an admission that his days of chasing the Champions League are over—a concession Salah has never seemed ready to make.
The case for a final European chapter
If Salah chooses to stay in Europe but leave Liverpool, his options become surprisingly narrow. Very few clubs can accommodate his wage demands while offering a genuine chance at more silverware. Paris Saint-Germain is frequently mentioned, especially as they look to pivot away from the “Galactico” era toward a more balanced squad—though Salah’s age might conflict with their new youth-centric recruitment policy.
And then there is the possibility of the “stay.” As clubs shift strategy as the summer transfer window looms, Liverpool may decide that Salah’s goals are more valuable than any transfer fee. Even in his thirties, his physical metrics remain among the best in the squad. He rarely misses games through injury, a feat of conditioning that suggests he could replicate the longevity of players like Robert Lewandowski or Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
But the vacuum left by a lack of a contract extension is being filled with speculation. If a new deal isn’t signed by the time the 2025-26 season kicks off, the power shifts entirely to the player. He could sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club as early as January 2026, leaving Liverpool fans to endure a long, painful goodbye.
Predicting the Anfield endgame
The most likely outcome feels like a crossroads. Liverpool’s recruitment team is already looking at long-term replacements, aware that the squad’s age profile needs refreshing. Yet, replacing thirty goal contributions a season is an almost impossible task.
The decision will ultimately come down to legacy. Does Salah want to break every remaining record at Liverpool, or does he want to be the pioneer who cements the Saudi Pro League’s status on the world stage? With his 34th birthday approaching in the summer of 2026, the time for “one last big move” is rapidly narrowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Liverpool sell Salah in the upcoming summer window?
It depends entirely on contract talks. If Salah makes it clear he will not sign an extension, Liverpool may be forced to listen to offers from Saudi Arabia to avoid losing a world-class asset for free twelve months later.
Can any European club afford him other than PSG?
While Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked in the past, their current financial structures and focus on younger talents like Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal make a move for Salah unlikely. A top-tier Italian or German side might be interested, but they could not match his current Premier League wages.
How much would Salah cost a Saudi Pro League club?
Given he is entering the final year of his contract, the astronomical £150m-plus figures from last year might drop slightly. However, because of his immense commercial and cultural value to the region, a fee in the region of £100m is still considered realistic.
