Saudi Arabia chief hints at future Salah transfer plan - despite his new deal

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Sports has hinted Mohamed Salah remains a future target for the league despite his recent renewal at Liverpool.

Salah, 32, is one of Liverpool's all-time greatest players, with the Egyptian having scored a remarkable 243 goals in 396 games for the club since joining from Roma in 2017 for an initial £36.5million fee.

The forward has won eight trophies at Anfield and remains integral to Arne Slot's side as they close in on the Premier League title.

Salah's previous contract was set to expire in the summer and speculation over his future has been a major talking point throughout the campaign, with the forward regularly providing cryptic answers when questioned over his future.

However, earlier this month, the club confirmed he had put pen to paper on a new deal until 2027 worth £380,000-per-week, ending the dramatic saga.

The Saudi Pro League has long been touted the forward's next move after he was the subject of a failed £150million bid from Al-Ittihad in 2023.

And while the league may be focusing on young players, Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has suggested they may still move for Salah in the future.

Speaking ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, Al-Faisal told reporters: 'I mean, he's a superstar.

'He's an iconic Arab Muslim. He fits the identity of playing in the Saudi league. It was his decision to renew with, but linking Saudi to him and everything... think from Day 1 they link Saudi to him. There wasn't any discussions. But it's good to have that.

'Now you can see that any player wants to renew their contract or sign their, they [the media] are saying that they're coming to Saudi and most 90 per cent of it is not true.

'But I think we have a strategy that we're working on and everyone is saying that we're just signing any players.'

It has been a superb season for Salah, who has contributed with 27 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League so far this season, with Liverpool now one win away from sealing the Premier League title after their 1-0 victory at Leicester on Sunday.

Salah expressed his delight at remaining at Liverpool after renewing his contract

'Of course I'm very excited. We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football,' he told the club website.

'It's great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it's going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career.

'I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we'll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we're going to win more trophies.'