Arne Slot has addressed Mohamed Salah’s future following comments from Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, who expressed a strong desire to bring the Egyptian star to the league this summer.
Reports from Mail Sport two weeks ago revealed Saudi Arabia’s continued interest in signing Salah after the season, having previously had a £150 million bid rejected in the summer of 2023. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has now confirmed their ongoing efforts to secure the transfer.
However, Liverpool manager Slot is unsurprised by the interest and remains hopeful that Salah will extend his stay at Anfield.
“We obviously want him to renew his contract—that’s clear,” Slot stated. “But I’m not surprised Saudi Arabia is interested… I wouldn’t be surprised if other countries wanted him too.
“He’s experienced and has made smart decisions throughout his career. He’ll make the best choice for himself, and hopefully, for us as well. I doubt there’s a team in the world that wouldn’t want Mo Salah—he’s been performing at a top level for years.
“He’s done just fine in his career without my advice, and I’m sure he’ll continue to do so. But if I were to offer him advice, it would certainly be different from what the Saudi minister suggested.”
Salah is one of several key Liverpool players—including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk—who could leave for free when their contracts expire in six months. The unresolved situation has placed sporting director Richard Hughes under scrutiny from parts of the fanbase, especially ahead of his return to Bournemouth this Saturday.
Despite this, Slot defended Hughes, praising his impact on Bournemouth’s squad and their manager’s tactical approach.
“They have an incredible amount of quality, much of which is down to Richard’s work. He appointed a fantastic manager who has built a well-structured team with a strong game plan. They are a real threat on set-pieces, and in all areas, they are a very strong side—perhaps even deserving of a higher position in the table.
“Justin Kluivert is just one example of Richard’s great work. He left the Netherlands earlier than some expected, and there was criticism, but now he’s having a fantastic season.”
As for Liverpool’s squad, Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Núñez are expected to train today after recovering from injuries or illness, with a decision on their availability for Bournemouth yet to be made. Meanwhile, Curtis Jones remains a doubt.