Michael Emenalo has admitted that there was reality to reviews that Saudi Arabian golf equipment tried to signal one high-profile Liverpool star, and he hasn’t shut the door on the potential of renewed makes an attempt.
On the finish of the summer season 2023 switch window, weeks of rumours got here to a head when Al-Ittihad submitted a £150m provide for Mo Salah which the Reds swiftly rejected (The Guardian).
Emenalo on Saudi makes an attempt to signal Salah
Former Chelsea director of soccer Emenalo – who’s now a director of the Saudi Professional League – appeared on the newest episode of The Obi One Podcast with ex-Blues midfielder Jon Obi Mikel when he was requested in regards to the possibilities of the Egyptian ahead transferring to the Center East.
The 59-year-old replied: “I believe it relies on Mo. The tales that our groups went after him was true. It’s true, there was an curiosity, however identical to [Victor] Osimhen, it’s OK for me to have an curiosity in signing Mo; however the membership should have an curiosity in letting him go, and if these issues don’t align, you don’t have a deal.
“Essentially, Liverpool didn’t wish to promote and what worth had been we prepared to purchase at? I didn’t really feel the participant was prepared to come back as a result of he felt like he had unfinished enterprise.”
Fortunately Liverpool held agency
When the Saudi Professional League went on a serious switch offensive final 12 months which noticed Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Bobby Firmino, Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum all transfer to the Center East (amongst many others), there appeared an actual chance that Salah would observe go well with.
Fortunately that didn’t occur as neither he nor Liverpool appeared prepared to succumb to Emenalo’s needs, however with the 32-year-old quickly approaching the tip of his contract at Anfield, we will’t low cost the potential of him making an analogous transfer in 2025 amid ongoing hypothesis over his future.
Our quantity 11 may want to relocate nearer to residence and spend a 12 months or two in Saudi Arabia additional down the road, however whereas he’s persevering with to provide the products for the Reds and push himself even larger within the membership’s all-time scoring charts, there appears no actual purpose for him to depart Europe as of but.
If Emenalo didn’t initially realise how difficult it’d be to attempt to land one of many world’s prime gamers in Salah, he definitely does now!