Reports suggest that Mohamed Salah has become Al Ittihad’s top choice to fill the void left by Karim Benzema. The Egyptian forward has been on the Saudi club’s radar for some time, and despite a challenging season, he had notable performances against Liverpool and in the African Cup of Nations. Although he extended his contract with Liverpool last April, Salah has only netted six goals this season, leaving his future uncertain.
Benzema’s Surprising Move from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal
Fans were taken aback on Monday when it was announced that Benzema would be leaving Al Ittihad for Al Hilal. The former Real Madrid striker had been with the Jeddah club since 2023, contributing to their Saudi Pro League championship in 2024-25. However, Al Ittihad has struggled defensively this season, finding themselves in sixth place with only 34 points from 19 matches.
In contrast, Al Hilal is performing well, currently leading Al Nasr by just a point, and Benzema joins a squad that already boasts players like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Malcom, providing a significant advantage for coach Simone Inzaghi.
With Benzema’s exit, Al Ittihad is searching for a new star player, and Salah has long been rumored as a potential target. Efforts are reportedly underway to turn this speculation into reality.
Salah’s Prospective Move to Saudi Pro League
Reports suggest Salah’s circumstances are being “closely monitored” as the Al Ittihad manager seeks a new superstar to replace Benzema. The urgency is amplified by winger Moussa Diaby’s desire to exit the club this summer.
While the current transfer window in Saudi Arabia is closed, Al Ittihad could very well make a concrete offer for Salah in the summer. Previously, they had attempted to sign him for £150 million ($205 million), an offer that Liverpool rejected in 2024, and Salah himself admitted to being “serious” about talks with other parties.
Following allegations that Salah “threw Liverpool under the bus” in December, interest from Al Ittihad re-emerged, but a transfer in January did not materialize.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Discontent with Al Nasr
The Saudi Pro League has witnessed a whirlwind of events lately as the nation aims to elevate soccer’s status and attract high-profile talents globally, especially with the 2034 World Cup approaching.
However, player dissatisfaction is surfacing, particularly for Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nasr. After signing a record-breaking contract, he is reportedly unhappy with the management’s treatment, believing that the Public Investment Fund orchestrated Benzema’s transfer to Al Hilal for competitive advantage. Ronaldo has yet to clinch a league title since joining in 2023 and feels unsupported.
Potential Player Departures in the Saudi Pro League
While Al Ittihad has lost Benzema, they might face an even larger setback with N’Golo Kante potentially leaving. Fenerbahce has shown strong interest in the midfielder, but a clerical error thwarted a recent transfer attempt. Kante, eager to finalize the move, reportedly missed training, yet Al Ittihad cannot secure a replacement due to the current transfer window status, despite Turkey still being open for business.
Losing Kante would be another blow to Al Ittihad’s attempt to defend their title this season. Whatever the outcome, a squad refresh is needed in the summer, and Salah could emerge as a key acquisition.
Fan Take: This news highlights the shifting dynamics in both the Saudi Pro League and global football, as clubs vie for star players to bolster their rosters. The potential move of Salah could reshape the league’s competitiveness and attract even more attention to soccer in the region.
