Egyptian star Mohamed Salah is navigating a genuine crisis point at Liverpool, where a notable dip in performance under new manager Arne Slot has converged with intense, persistent transfer interest from the Saudi Pro League. The situation is forcing the club to accelerate its succession planning for the 33-year-old forward.
The most immediate cause for speculation stems from Salah’s current form in the 2025/2026 season. After delivering a career-best campaign last year, his output has dropped considerably, registering only three goals and three assists across 11 competitive appearances, including three consecutive defeats for the team. This lack of productivity led to him being benched or substituted early in key Champions League fixtures, including a match against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The decision by manager Arne Slot to drop the traditionally ‘undroppable’ star has generated friction, with reports suggesting Salah was annoyed by the treatment, even removing Liverpool-related references from his social media profiles—indicating a rare breakdown in the player-manager dynamic. The general sentiment at Anfield is that Slot must do what is best for the team, regardless of a player’s legendary status.
Simultaneously, the transfer angle is hotter than ever. Despite Salah signing a new contract extension until 2027, Liverpool anticipates that the forward, who remains arguably the biggest star in the Arab world, is considering a high-profile move to Saudi Arabia before his contract expires. Sources suggest an “extraordinary” new financial offer is imminent from the Saudi Pro League.
While Liverpool successfully rebuffed a massive £150 million bid from Al-Ittihad in 2023, the combination of Salah’s age, his current struggles, and the size of the potential fee may tempt the club’s new management to accept a similar or larger offer to fund Slot’s rebuild. The club is reportedly not planning a January sale, but is prepared to sanction a move next summer should Salah choose to leave.
Liverpool’s recruitment team is now actively planning for life after the Egyptian King. Bournemouth’s Ghanaian forward, Antoine Semenyo, remains a primary target. Semenyo, 25, has impressed this season, prompting an increased valuation from the Cherries, who are reportedly demanding £75-80 million for his services.
While Bournemouth insists the player is not available in January, attention has shifted to a summer move. Liverpool holds a key advantage in this pursuit: the club’s new sporting director, Richard Hughes, previously held the same role at Bournemouth and was responsible for signing Semenyo in 2023, retaining strong ties to his former club.
Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise has also been named as a high-profile European alternative being closely monitored. In stark contrast to his club struggles, Salah continues to shine for Egypt, highlighting his undiminished quality.
He returned to Cairo after finishing fourth in the Ballon d’Or and played a key role in Egypt’s 3-0 victory over Djibouti, which secured the nation’s place in the 2026 World Cup. His continued success on the international stage reinforces the idea that his current issues at Liverpool may be rooted in tactics or fatigue rather than a permanent physical decline.
