Arne Slot has encouraged Mohamed Salah to commit his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract, advising the Egyptian star against pursuing a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Salah has been in outstanding form this season, but with his contract set to expire in June, ongoing speculation suggests the Saudi Pro League could be a potential destination for the prolific forward.
In a recent interview on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube channel, Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal was asked whether Salah was the “big prize” Saudi Arabia aimed to secure.
“Absolutely, because if he meets all the right criteria, we’d love to have him,” the minister stated.
“We share deep cultural and historical ties with the Egyptians, so it would be a great addition,” he added.
Salah, who currently leads the Premier League scoring charts with 19 goals this season, stated in December that he remained “far away” from reaching an agreement on a new deal with Liverpool.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Liverpool manager Slot reaffirmed the club’s desire to retain their star striker, who has been with the club since 2017.
“We obviously want him to extend his stay,” Slot emphasized. “That much is clear. But I’m not surprised that Saudi Arabia wants him, nor would I be surprised if other countries are interested.”
“He’s experienced and intelligent enough to make the right decision for himself, and hopefully for us as well,” he added.
When asked about the Saudi links, the Dutchman remarked: “He has managed his career exceptionally well without my advice, so I trust he knows what’s best for him.”
“But if I were to offer any advice, it would be different from what you just mentioned,” he concluded.
Liverpool faces further contract concerns, as captain Virgil van Dijk and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold are also nearing the end of their current deals, posing a challenge for the Premier League leaders.
Ahead of Liverpool’s clash with in-form Bournemouth on Saturday, Slot acknowledged the importance of discussing future plans with his players, but he refrained from disclosing any updates regarding contract negotiations.