Michael Emenalo Acknowledges Difficulty in Persuading Liverpool Star to Join Saudi Pro League Despite Ambitious Plans
In a recent interview, Michael Emenalo, the director of football for the Saudi Pro League, shared insights into the league’s ambitious pursuits in the transfer market, acknowledging the challenges of convincing Liverpool star Mohamed Salah to join the competition in January.
The Saudi Pro League made headlines during the summer transfer window with significant spending, attracting top names from European football with lucrative contracts. Notably, Al-Ittihad reportedly made a £150 million offer for Mohamed Salah, with £100 million upfront and an additional £50 million in add-ons. However, Liverpool rejected the bid, retaining the Egyptian forward.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Emenalo, the former Chelsea technical director, indicated that the league had no plans to initiate a move for Salah in January. He stated, “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.”
Emenalo emphasized the league’s understanding of Salah’s contentment at Liverpool, a historic and prestigious club. He expressed respect for Salah’s current situation and clarified that the league did not want to pressure him.
While Emenalo did not rule out the possibility of a future move, he highlighted the importance of aligned interests among all parties involved. In response to whether a January move for Salah was plausible, Emenalo stated, “We respect Liverpool, and in this scenario, the initiative to do anything won’t come from us.”
He underscored the personal nature of such decisions, emphasizing that if Salah expressed interest and all elements aligned, he would be delighted to see the accomplished player in the Saudi Pro League. Despite the league’s eagerness to attract top talent, Emenalo emphasized the importance of mutual interest and respect in any potential transfer involving players of Salah’s caliber.
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