Potential Superstars Heading to Saudi Arabia

It appears that the anticipated arrival of another international sports icon to Saudi Arabia is imminent, with focus shifting to Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Junior as leading candidates.

Salah’s Situation at Liverpool

This season, Mohamed Salah’s circumstances at Liverpool have taken an unforeseen turn.

After turning down a substantial offer from a Middle Eastern club earlier in the year and opting for a two-year contract extension, his performance has noticeably declined.

Management made the decision to omit him from the starting lineup during the recent 2-0 victory against West Ham, raising questions about whether this will be a recurring theme as his status in the team appears uncertain.

Internally, there is an increasing sentiment that the 33-year-old might be facing his last season at Anfield. Should this turn out to be true, offers from Saudi Arabia are expected to be forthcoming.

Salah has consistently been viewed as an ideal acquisition for the Saudi league, capable of enhancing its global stature, and they are reportedly ready to offer extraordinary sums for his signature.

Sources indicate that Salah could be presented with an offer around £150 million annually to entice him to make the move. Despite having previously chosen to remain with Liverpool, there remains a willingness on his part to consider a transfer later in his career.

Al Hilal is seen as a plausible destination, though Al-Qadsiah is also mentioned as a potential contender.

Vinicius Junior’s Situation

Vinicius Junior presents a more complex scenario, yet he remains under close watch by Saudi officials.

Real Madrid is eager to secure him with a new long-term contract, but the dynamics surrounding him have changed this season. There are early indications of tension in his relationship with the new head coach, Xabi Alonso, despite both parties publicly claiming everything is under control.

Vinicius has expressed his desire to remain at Real Madrid for many years, but behind the scenes, the atmosphere appears more strained, particularly since he will have only one year left on his contract following the 2026 World Cup.

Saudi executives are keen on the idea of presenting him with an offer. Some Brazilian sources speculate that a transfer in 2026 might be premature for the 25-year-old, but insiders believe that the financial incentives could sway his decision.

It’s speculated he might receive an offer exceeding that of Salah, given his youth and current standing in the sport. So far, Al Ahli has been regarded as a primary destination for him, having already made strides in negotiations.

Further discussions for his future at Madrid are expected to resume soon, and the situation remains compelling. With Cristiano Ronaldo already in the Saudi league, will 2026 usher in the era of another global sports figure taking their talents to this region?