Ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy thinks the Saudi Pro League will never compete with Europe. Mohamed Salah is again being linked with a big summer move.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool has been warned regarding a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Former Liverpool ace Danny Murphy has warned Mohamed Salah against moving to the Saudi Pro League. The Reds talisman continues to be linked with a summer move to the Middle East.
A host of top players from across Europe made the move to Saudi Arabia last summer — including Karim Benzema, Neymar and N’Golo Kante. Liverpool even saw some long-serving players depart after receiving lucrative offers, with Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho all exiting.
Despite the buzz around the new arrivals, the huge investments have not had the desired impact. Attendances remain low and some players, including Henderson who moved to Ajax in January, have secured early exits from the Middle East.
Salah was heavily monitored by Al-Ittihad last summer and the interest is reportedly set to be rekindled at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. According to talkSPORT, Liverpool is braced for a fresh approach this summer, when the 31-year-old will be entering the final year of his current deal.
And ex-midfielder Murphy has warned Salah about the move while explaining why he thinks the Saudi Pro League will never compete with European leagues. “It might have more longevity [than the Chinese league] but the reality is you can only get a certain level of player to go to Saudi, no matter what they’re paying,” he said on the Ben Heath Podcast.
“Most players that reach the level that I played, are doing it for success and love. To have a career and be remembered. If you want to go to Saudi at 24 just for more money, the competitiveness of that league is just not going to reach that level. It will only be players at the end [of the career] and the odd one in the middle who is desperate for money.
“I just don’t see how you change that dynamic. Ultimately, even if they became a league that was a bit better and they wanted to compete in tournaments with clubs in Europe, well they would have to comply with Financial Fair Play. Then they haven’t got the capability.
“If they stay as they are and they just keep plowing money into it, you’re only ever going to get a certain level of player. Jordan Henderson is a great example. He went near the end of his career and he had enough.
“You are not going to get top players, or even medium ones, going over there at 24, taking their family and kids over there, to destroy your career. Stadiums aren’t full, the demand isn’t there. I don’t know anyone who watches it — and I know a lot of people who love football.”
According to Liverpool.com, Salah’s future remains very much up in the air and if he is to leave Liverpool this summer, the best offer would undoubtedly arrive from the Middle East. A sizeable transfer fee would allow Liverpool to reinvest in its squad, with new sporting director Richard Hughes having a big role to play. That said, Salah is nowhere near finished and has shown this season he can still shine at the very top level.
