Saudi Clubs Vie for Mohamed Salah's Signature in Potential Transfer Coup

Al-Hilal has joined the race to sign Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, setting up a direct competition with Al-Ittihad for the Egyptian star's signature. The Saudi champions are prepared to make room for Salah despite having a full roster of foreign players, signaling serious intent to bring one of the world's top players to the Saudi Pro League.

Sources close to the situation told British outlet TeamTalk that Al-Hilal's foreign player quota "isn't a problem" for the club, suggesting they're willing to restructure their squad to accommodate Salah. This flexibility gives them a significant advantage in negotiations.

The timing works in Saudi Arabia's favor. Salah's relationship with Liverpool has reportedly deteriorated, opening the door for a January transfer. His contract situation at Anfield remains unresolved, and the 31-year-old forward may be looking for a new challenge.

For Saudi football, landing Salah would be massive. He's arguably the most recognizable Arab player in world football and would bring huge commercial value to whichever club signs him. Al-Hilal, coached by Simone Inzaghi, already has one of the strongest squads in the league and adding Salah would make them even more formidable.

But Al-Ittihad won't give up easily. As the current Saudi Pro League champions, they have their own appeal and the financial backing to compete for Salah's signature. This creates a fascinating bidding war between two of Saudi Arabia's biggest clubs.

The Saudi Pro League has been aggressive in attracting top talent, and Salah represents their biggest target yet. His arrival would validate their strategy of using massive financial packages to lure established stars away from European football.