Ex Premier League Goalkeeper Claims Mohamed Salah Will Be Bigger Than Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia

• EPL goal machine Mohamed Salah is a target for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad
• The SPL club's bid to sign the Egyptian last summer was rejected by Liverpool
• Former England goalkeeper claims he could be bigger than Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Pro League was given a new lease of life in 2022 when several superstars from European clubs, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, joined their clubs.

Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, remains a target for one of their biggest clubs, and former England goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, reckons the Egyptian international will be bigger than the Portuguese in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad are their biggest clubs, and the country's Public Investment Fund owns 75% of each of those clubs. This allowed them to splash the cash in the summer of 2022.

After Ronaldo joined earlier in 2022, Neymar, Benzema, and Sadio Mane followed in the summer transfer window. The star power has lifted the profile of the league, giving it an international appeal. They were one of the biggest spenders in the summer of 2022, per the Independent.

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For instance, current league leaders Al-Hilal spent €90 million to sign Neymar from Paris St Germain. They also signed a few stars from Europe's top clubs. They made a world record bid to sign Kylian Mbappe from PSG, but a deal never materialised.

Many analysts and transfer experts have claimed that it is only a matter of time before the Egyptian star moves to the Middle East.

Will Salah be bigger than Ronaldo?

Al-Ittihad had a £150mil bid rejected by the Reds last summer and were reportedly prepared to do whatever it took to secure the signature of one of the Premier League's greatest players.

Paul Robinson, who played for Leeds United, Tottenham, Blackburn and Burnley, said Salah's transfer to Saudi Arabia is inevitable.

For me, it’s a done deal. For his personal ambitions, his personal wealth and for his hereditary wealth to leave for his family. Not just that, but because of his religious beliefs. Playing in that league, he will be an icon," via Liverpool Echo.

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Salah's current contract with Liverpool is set to expire in 2025, so Al-Ittihad will need to pay a significant fee to lure him away from Liverpool. Robinson says he could be bigger than Ronaldo in the league.

"Cristiano Ronaldo was taken over there at the start of it all, but he can’t play forever. Mohamed Salah, in that league, tops Ronaldo. The interest that it spikes and the revenue that he brings to that league. That will be the biggest deal that the Premier League has ever seen, I have no doubt.”

Salah is Liverpool's best player, and it remains to be seen if the SPL club can convince him to join them.

All of the games Salah could miss

Sports Brief also reported on the number of games Mohamed Salah could miss due to AFCON.

If Egypt goes all the way in the competition, Salah could miss crucial games against Arsenal and Chelsea.

The Reds will be in league and cup action in January and February 2024, and Salah’s absence will undoubtedly be felt.