Saturday, 16 December 2023 – 22:16 WIB
VIVA – Saudi Pro League chairman Michael Emenalo has named four football icons the club hopes to recruit in the upcoming transfer window.
Emenalo, who previously served as Chelsea’s technical director between 2011 and 2017, was appointed as director of football for the Saudi Pro League earlier this year.
The Nigerian had a busy start to his new role in July, with the league going on a spending spree that saw Neymar, Fabinho, Riyad Mahrez, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sadio Mane complete the moves following his arrival.
But with the January transfer window fast approaching, much of the focus is on whether the Saudi Pro League can lure Mohamed Salah from Liverpool.
The Egyptian has scored 11 goals in the Premier League this season – fewer than Manchester City’s Erling Haaland – after Al Ittihad’s verbal bid of £150m was rejected by Liverpool in the summer.
The Telegraph claims that the Saudi League will review the deal in January if Liverpool do not challenge for the Premier League title, despite Jurgen Klopp’s side currently leading the division by one point ahead of Arsenal.
But speaking to Sky Sports, Emenalo revealed that the Saudi Pro League is still interested in signing Salah – but only if the opportunity arises.
He also suggested that the Saudi Pro League hopes to recruit three other football stars.
He said: “Mo Salah, like Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, these are players that when there is a sense of availability for them, we are willing to listen to it.
“We also understand that Mo is happy in his current position and at a historic and extraordinary club in Liverpool. We have a lot of respect for that, and we don’t want to appear to be putting any pressure on him.
“But if there is interest in doing something, Mo Salah is the player you want in your league, in any league. Our position is very clear – all these players know where we are,” he said.
