Broadcaster and former footballer Ian Paul Joy believes Mohamed Salah could be a bigger signing than Cristiano Ronaldo for the Saudi Pro League. He highlighted the Egyptian winger’s links in the region and also praised his quality.
Salah has been linked with a move away from Liverpool following his explosive interview earlier this month. He criticized the club and head coach Arne Slot after being benched for three consecutive games. He has been heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League during the January transfer window.
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Ian Paul Joy believes that if an offer is presented, Liverpool will accept it in January, as he stated on CBS Sports:
“I think both would take him now. I think Mohammad Salah would be an unreal signing for the Saudi Pro League. I really think so. I mean, you have to think about the language that he speaks that can connect with so many people in this region.”
If you’re trying to grow the game, not necessarily globally, especially for the SPL, the Saudi Pro League, you need someone who speaks your language, and Muhammad Salah offers a lot, but he’s also an icon. He is an icon of world football.”
Joy also claimed that the 33-year-old winger could be a more important signing for the Saudi Pro League than Cristiano Ronaldo, adding:
“As you know, Mohamed Salah will be a wanted man by the Saudi Pro League, as far as I’m concerned. They will throw a lot of money at him, and I think because of the language and the equality of the player profile that he has in this region and in the world, he would be bigger than Cristiano Ronaldo. I honestly believe that.”
Al-Ittihad reportedly made a huge offer worth £150million for Salah in 2023, but Liverpool rejected it.
Saudi Sports Minister opens up on Mohamed Salah after Cristiano Ronaldo at SPL
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January 2023 and helped it gain immense popularity, with many stars moving to Saudi Arabia. Saudi clubs are now associated with a possible decision by Mohamed Salah. The winger signed a new contract with Liverpool last season, which expires in 2027.
After his contract was renewed, Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal raised the possibility of recruiting the Egyptian winger. He said:
“I mean, he’s a superstar. He’s an iconic Muslim Arab. He fits the identity of playing in the Saudi league. It was his decision to reconnect, but linking Saudi Arabia to him and everything… I think from day one they’re linking Saudi Arabia to him. There was no discussion. But it’s good to have that.
“Now you can see that any player wants to renew his contract or sign his contract, he [the media] say they are coming to Saudi Arabia and almost 90 percent of this information is false. But I think we are working on a strategy and everyone says we are just signing any player,” he added.
Following the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League, many stars like Neymar Jr. and Karim Benzema have joined the league.
Edited by Aditya Singh
