28 February 2024 , 18:09
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Saudi clubs will come back for another huge raid on the Premier League this summer.
And the Saudi Pro League are almost certain to see Liverpool superstar Mo Salah as their No1 target and biggest prize. It comes as a top executive of the Saudi Pro League says they are in football for the long term and not just a one-off having spent £700m on new players last summer, including Brazilian forward Neymar and Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves.
They also splashed the cash on Premier League stars like N’Golo Kante and former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson. Vice-chair of the Saudi Pro League, Saad Al Lazeez, told the Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit: “This is a long-term investment. We are not in it for a season.
“We are pleased with what has been achieved so far. In fact, I think we are a bit ahead of schedule,” he said, underlining the kingdom’s aim of pumping money into football as part of a broader strategy to diversify the economy.”
Al Lazeez accepted Henderson did not work but did not expect him leaving for Ajax after just six months to put others off. “You don’t expect all of them to stay,” he said. “He’s a great guy. It did just not work out. That’s life.” Before adding he would remain “one of the best signings that we made for the Saudi Pro League.”
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
Several of Salah's former Liverpool team-mates are still out in Saudi, including Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum. Liverpool rejected a £150m bid for Salah from Al-Ittihad last summer.
But Liverpool are in a different position heading into this summer as Salah's contract enters its final 12 months and there is always the prospect he could leave for nothing in 2025 if he does not want to stay at Anfield beyond his current deal.
Jurgen Klopp's departure at the end of the season will also cast fresh doubt over Salah's future. much could depend on the new manager replacing Klopp as well as Liverpool's situation over appointing a new sporting director.
Bournemouth's technical director Richard Hughes is heavily linked with the role at Anfield while former sporting director Michael Edwards could be tempted to return to the club.
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