Mohamed Salah will be included in Arne Slot’s squad to face Brighton later today (Saturday), but his future past next month is far from certain. The Egyptian forward has been strongly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, and journalist Ben Jacobs has provided a bit of insight into what clubs could go […]
Mohamed Salah will be included in Arne Slot’s squad to face Brighton later today (Saturday), but his future past next month is far from certain. The Egyptian forward has been strongly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, and journalist Ben Jacobs has provided a bit of insight into what clubs could go […]
Manchester United seem increasingly open to cashing in on Bruno Fernandes, who remains a target for Saudi Pro League clubs.
As first reported here in the Daily Briefing, sources “expect bids” for Fernandes as both Al Hilal and Al Ittihad show a strong interest in him.
It’s anticipated that Man Utd could sell Fernandes for around £70m, with the Portugal international regarded as their most sellable asset.
This comes as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have been eager to make the club more financially stable since taking over.
Bruno Fernandes sale may be necessary to fund new Man United signings
Bruno Fernandes in action for Man Utd (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
With United targeting ambitious signings in midfield such as Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba, it seems Fernandes has been identified as someone worth cashing in on to help fund those moves.
Red Devils fans might not be too keen to see a top player like Fernandes leave, but it’s also true that he’s not getting any younger and this might be their last chance to make big money from his departure.
If that helps MUFC build for the future with elite young midfielders like Anderson and Baleba, it would surely go down as good business in the long-term, even if there’s some short-term pain.
Bruno Fernandes transfer exit could be a big risk
For now, though, is it actually worth offloading someone as influential as Fernandes while Ruben Amorim is still rebuilding this side and trying to get more consistency?
Just see below as Fernandes is rated by FotMob as United’s best performer this season, while he’s top for assists and second for goals…
Bruno Fernandes stats this season (FotMob)
It might be tempting to think Fernandes’ influence will soon wane with age, but some top players have continued to go on performing at the very highest level well into their late 30s, so this is clearly something the club need to think carefully about.
Ben Harburg, an American sports investor who runs Al Kholood, has addressed the ongoing Salah stories amid the Egypt international’s falling out with Reds manager Arne Slot.
Needless to say, as you can see in the video clip below, Harburg has clearly been left unimpressed by Salah’s behaviour after his criticism of Slot for leaving him on the bench in recent matches…
?? "He's NOT a team player!" – Could Mohamed Salah to Saudi now be in serious doubt after his bust-up with Arne Slot? ? pic.twitter.com/olMkpFf6mt
Even if Salah is a big name, Harburg feels that he is no longer likely to be a top target for Saudi clubs after turning them down in the past and now publicly criticising his current employers.
Ben Harburg slams Mohamed Salah and plays down Saudi transfer links
When asked about a move for Salah, Harburg said: “I do think there’s already, even amongst the public, much more apprehension around his coming into the league.
“He’s 33 years old, he got paid a boatload a year or so ago, whatever it was, and has underperformed massively since then.
“He doesn’t strike me as a great team player. As an owner, when I look at the way he behaved there … if a player isn’t performing, they’re not going to be in the starting line up. We don’t put people in the starting line up based on what they did three seasons ago or even last season.
“All that, to me, combines for a fairly toxic combination of factors. So I would rather he not come here. I’m sure some people like his star power, he’s from the region, but my sentiment is that he is not a fit for our league.
Mohamed Salah in Liverpool FC training (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
“I would rather, if it were between him and Vinicius, I’d take Vinicius.
“I’m hoping we go after those 25-year-old next wave players rather than guys like Salah who definitely this would be the last stop on his career.”
What next for Salah if he leaves Liverpool?
This might not necessarily be representative of how others in Saudi feel, but it’s a bit of a warning sign for Salah if he does end up leaving Liverpool.
The 33-year-old might well have put suitors off with his recent antics, while it also saw him dropped entirely from Slot’s matchday squad for the Inter Milan game this week.
Salah surely would have suitors somewhere after such a great career with LFC, but this is a reminder that he can’t necessarily expect to throw a tantrum like this and just walk into another team.
Having said that, this also seems harsh on Salah considering that Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr came about in much the same way, while it’s also not like Vinicius hasn’t had his issues with Real Madrid’s management this season.
Mo Salah has fallen out with Liverpool after his explosive interview on Saturday following draw against Leeds United.
Having been left on the bench for three consecutive games, Salah came out guns blazing, accusing the club of throwing him under the bus.
Salah stated that someone at the club does not want him at Liverpool anymore. He even hinted that the upcoming clash against Brighton could be his farewell appearance, amid growing rumours of a January exit.
Some believe the only reason Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes agreed to give Salah a new deal was so they can sell him for a significant profit.
And now that scenario could come true. Saudi Pro League CEO Omar Mugharbel himself has admitted that Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, stating that he is one of their targets.
He said as quoted by Fabrizio Romano: “Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with the players.
“For sure, Salah is one of them (targets).”
??? Saudi Pro League CEO Omar Mugharbel at WFS: “Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players”.
The comments land at a sensitive moment for the Liverpool forward.
Could Salah have already played his final Liverpool game?
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Salah has already stated that he would “say goodbye” to fans after Liverpool’s home clash with Brighton, regardless of whether he plays or not.
He is set to leave for AFCON duty immediately after the Brighton game, meaning he could be away for up to a month.
If Liverpool decide to accept a Saudi offer during that period, the forward may never play for the club again.
Unless the situation is resolved quickly, all signs point toward an imminent and emotional end to Mohamed Salah’s era at Anfield, one that now looks closer than ever.
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