Mohamed Salah is at the centre of fresh transfer drama after publicly accusing Liverpool and manager Arne Slot of “throwing him under the bus”, prompting Saudi Pro League clubs to prepare a cut-price January bid. According to The Sun, Al Hilal are leading the push to sign the 33-year-old forward following a fiery outburst that has cast doubt over his immediate future at Anfield.
Salah, who has been benched in three consecutive Premier League matches, delivered an astonishing post-match interview after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Leeds. The winger accused the club of breaking promises made when he signed his two-year extension in April and hinted that the upcoming home fixture against Brighton may be his final appearance for the Reds.
“Thrown under the bus” was the phrase that reverberated around the football world as Salah expressed deep frustration at both Slot and the club hierarchy. The timing of the fallout is significant, with Salah set to join Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations after the Brighton match, leaving a narrow January window for negotiations should Liverpool decide to sell.
Saudi Arabia have long considered Salah one of their dream acquisitions. Two years ago, Liverpool rejected multiple offers worth up to £150 million, but the landscape has shifted dramatically. With Salah now older, out of the starting eleven and openly questioning the club, Saudi clubs believe a deal can be struck for far less than previous bids.
Al Hilal, who signed Darwin Nunez from Liverpool in the summer, are regarded as the frontrunners. They would need to free up a non-EU international slot to complete the deal, but insiders say they are willing to make the necessary adjustments to secure Salah. The move would also reunite the Egyptian with his former Anfield teammate in Riyadh, strengthening the club’s push for global recognition.
Sources close to the Saudi Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence (PACE), headed by former Chelsea director Michael Emenalo, insist Salah is categorised as “elite tier” — a status that would justify breaking from recent policy to reduce spending on ageing stars. PACE have maintained long-standing contact with Salah’s representatives and believe the current tension at Liverpool presents the clearest opportunity yet.
Liverpool’s internal position remains unclear. Club officials have not publicly responded to Salah’s remarks, but privately there is concern about the escalation and the potential dressing-room impact. Salah has been a pivotal figure at Anfield for seven years, winning the Premier League, Champions League and multiple Golden Boots, but his reduced minutes this season reflect a tactical shift under Slot.
Salah’s camp, meanwhile, point to promises made during contract discussions — assurances regarding his role, minutes and long-term importance — which they claim have not been upheld. The player also hinted that comments surrounding his future have “sent him in a different direction”, implying that club messaging has softened towards a sale.
The Egyptian admitted last season that he held serious talks with Saudi clubs before renewing with Liverpool. “My relations with SPL officials are very good,” he told ON Sport at the time. “If I had not renewed with Liverpool, it would have happened.” Those words now carry greater weight amid the current turmoil.
Whether Liverpool choose to sanction a January exit or wait until the summer will depend on the scale of Saudi bids and the club’s desire to avoid losing one of their greatest-ever forwards for significantly less than his peak value. But after Salah’s explosive interview, the atmosphere has undeniably changed.
Saudi officials are preparing to act swiftly. If Liverpool are open to discussions, a move that once felt impossible may now be within reach — and Salah’s final chapter at Anfield could be far closer than anyone anticipated.