Transfer window: Mohamed Salah's salary demands stall his move to Al-Ittihad

Now a free agent after his spell at Liverpool came to an end, Mohamed Salah remains one of the most sought-after players of this summer transfer window. While Al-Ittihad is still eager to lure the Egyptian superstar to the Saudi Pro League, negotiations have so far hit a major stumbling block: his salary demands.

According to reports from WinWin, Al-Ittihad’s management has been in talks for several weeks with Ramy Abbas, the agent of the Egyptian international. The Saudi club has tabled an offer estimated at €25 million per year, matching the salary Salah was earning at Liverpool.

However, this proposal is deemed insufficient by Salah’s camp. WinWin further reveals that Ramy Abbas is demanding at least the same wages as Sadio Mané, around €40 million per year, as well as a sum representing about a quarter of Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary, which approaches €200 million per season at Al-Nassr. These demands, plus agent commissions, are making negotiations significantly more complicated.

Al-Ittihad refuses to increase its offer

Despite their longstanding interest, Al-Ittihad does not appear willing to break the bank. Again according to WinWin, the club’s executives believe that €25 million, coupled with various performance and commercial bonuses, is their absolute cap to convince the former Liverpool star.

Nevertheless, the club hopes to find a solution, possibly with outside financial backing, convinced that Salah’s arrival would be a tremendous boost both on and off the pitch.

A season that justifies his value

Mohamed Salah’s high demands are also backed by another world-class campaign with Liverpool. The Egyptian winger featured in 52 matches across all competitions, netting 34 goals and providing 23 assists, cementing his reputation as one of the most decisive forwards in world football.

Since joining the Reds from AS Roma in 2017, Salah has made history at the club, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. Individually, he has claimed multiple Premier League Golden Boots and stands as the top African scorer in English top-flight history.

Other contenders lurking

The story is far from over. According to WinWin, Trabzonspor has also put forward an offer estimated at €17 million per season, while several other clubs are closely monitoring the situation of the Egyptian national team captain.

For Al-Ittihad, room for maneuver is now limited: unless Mohamed Salah lowers his salary demands or additional funding is secured, the deal could quickly become impossible—despite the Saudi club’s determination to make the Egyptian star the figurehead of their sporting project.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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