The contracts of Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk continue to give sleepless nights to Liverpool fans the world over.
Reports are flying in every day with various updates about what each player’s camp wants and what they are hearing.
One of the most consistent rumours, however, has been Saudi Arabia’s interest in bringing Mo Salah to the Saudi Pro League.
And a new report from El Nacional indicates that Cristiano Ronaldo is being an active player in trying to bring Salah to his club, Al Nassr.
“For his part, Ronaldo is acting as an unofficial ambassador for the Saudi project, convincing elite players to join the championship,” the report states.
“According to sources close to the club, the Portuguese reportedly spoke to Salah personally to convey his enthusiasm for the league and Al-Nassr’s long-term plans.
“Next summer will be key to Salah’s future, but one thing is clear: Cristiano Ronaldo will spare no effort to have him by his side.”
Could Ronaldo convince Salah of Saudi move?
It shouldn’t come as a surprise if Ronaldo is being a personal advocate in any potential negotiations, as he has represented Saudi interests diligently since arriving in the country.
The idea that he could somehow be the final domino to convince Salah to move to Saudi Arabia is laughable, though.
Salah’s interest in the Saudi Pro League stems from both being the face of the emerging market in the Islamic world, as well as the financial aspect.
His interest in staying at Liverpool derives from his desire to remain one of the best football players in the world, leading what is currently the best team in Europe to league and Champions League aspirations.
Salah will already be aware of anything Ronaldo could be trying to sell him on. And with the Portuguese man’s well-established ego, he probably wouldn’t be too keen in another player coming and out-earning him, as well as dragging the spotlight away.
The relative obscurity that players who have gone to Saudi now have is also working against them. Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr sit third in the league, six points behind Neymar’s Al-Hilal amid rumours of a move away from the club for the Brazilian star.
The rumours are accentuated by reports that the Saudis would like Ronaldo to replace Neymar at Al-Hilal himself.
One thing is certain, however. If Mo Salah’s desire to remain one of the best players in the world is genuine, as we think it is, then staying at Liverpool is the only realistic option.
