Al-Ittihad are negotiating with Mohamed Salah to replace Benzema, who left for Al-Hilal
In a move aimed at quelling the anger of the yellow-clad fans, Al-Ittihad's decision-makers have reopened direct and intensive communication channels with Egyptian international Mohamed Salah, the star striker of Liverpool FC. These swift actions come as an immediate response to the uproar among Al-Ittihad supporters following the shocking transfer of French striker Karim Benzema to their arch-rivals, Al-Hilal, a move considered by the Tigers' fans to be a devastating blow to the team's ambitions.
Mohamed Salah... a lifeline for the Al-Ittihad management
Al-Ittihad's management is striving to secure a major signing during the upcoming summer transfer window, viewing Mohamed Salah as the only player capable of filling the void left by Karim Benzema's departure, both on and off the field. The importance of this transfer extends beyond the purely technical aspects, encompassing both prestige and marketing, given Salah's immense popularity in the Arab world, making him a cornerstone of the club's project to return to winning ways.
The strained relationship with Arne Slott paves the way for his departure
What strengthens the chances of success in these negotiations this time is the uncertain situation Mohamed Salah is experiencing at Anfield. Reports from England indicate a noticeable tension in the relationship between the Egyptian star and his Dutch coach, Arne Slot. This tension surfaced clearly last December when Salah expressed his dissatisfaction with being sidelined and benched for three consecutive matches, culminating in his controversial exclusion from the squad for the Champions League match against Inter Milan. Although the player returned to action after meetings to clear the air, the rift in the relationship might push Salah to seriously consider a new challenge.
General context and potential impact of the deal
These negotiations come at a time when Saudi football is experiencing an unprecedented boom, fueled by significant government support, with the Saudi Professional League becoming a preferred destination for top international stars. Salah's potential move to Al-Ittihad is considered the "missing piece" of the Saudi league project, given his status as an Arab and global icon. Historically, Al-Ittihad came very close to signing Salah before his last contract renewal with Liverpool, but the English club's insistence and the player's exorbitant financial demands prevented the deal from going through at that time. Today, with the changing dynamics at Liverpool and Al-Ittihad's pressing need to redeem themselves in front of their home fans, the opportunity seems more favorable than ever to see Mohamed Salah in the Tigers' jersey.
