Salah’s shock in Europe: Will he turn his back on millions of Saudis in a final step in Europe? | International Sports News –

What has long looked like a straightforward, high-value move away from Europe is no longer a certainty, with Mohamed Salah now leaning towards an unexpected replacement that has quietly emerged on the back of his exit from Liverpool.

Previous speculation had linked him to a move to the Saudi club Al-Nassr, but this path has now become less clear as other options develop. The 33-year-old has already confirmed that his nine-year spell on Merseyside will end this summer, but while the financial draw of the Saudi Professional League remains strong, ongoing discussions elsewhere suggest his next move may not follow the expected scenario.

Fenerbahce Talks and Salary Expectations

According to Turkish outlet A Spor, Fenerbahce have held two meetings with Salah’s agent while exploring the possibility of bringing him to Istanbul, with reporter Erdem Akbaş reporting that club representative Ertan Turunogulari has been directly involved in the discussions. During those talks, Salah reportedly set a salary expectation of around £333,000 per week, which is closely in line with his current earnings at Liverpool and would place him among the highest-paid players in Europe. The same report indicates that Salah is seeking an annual salary of approximately 20 million euros and made it clear that he wants to continue his career in Europe instead of leaving the continent at this stage.

A third round of talks was scheduled to take place after the recent Fenerbahce derby against Galatasaray, but negotiations were temporarily halted due to the club’s election decision, leaving the situation open but active.

Fenerbahce context and team building

Fenerbahce, based in the Kadikoy district of Istanbul and founded in 1907, remains one of Turkey’s most prominent and widely supported clubs, competing in the Turkish Super League and regularly participating in European competitions through UEFA.

The club has a history of attracting high-profile names, including Roberto Carlos, who spent three seasons there between 2007 and 2009, and Mesut Ozil, who joined in 2021 before later moving to Istanbul Basaksehir and retiring in 2023.Recently, the squad has been strengthened with players such as Ederson, Leroy Sane, and N’Golo Kante, reflecting the aggressive recruitment strategy.Former manager Jose Mourinho, who took charge in June 2024, was sacked on 29 August 2025 after failing to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League.

With three weeks to go until the end of the current Premier League season, Fenerbahce are seven points behind arch-rival Galatasaray, leaving their title hopes on hold but not mathematically over.

Contract status and Liverpool exit timeline

Salah’s departure comes despite him signing a contract extension last summer that was scheduled to run until 2027, with Liverpool choosing to allow the Egyptian international to leave on a free transfer at the end of the current season. His final weeks at the club were complicated by injury, after he was forced off during the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on 25 April due to what the club later described as a “minor” muscle problem. He was substituted just before the hour mark and took some time to acknowledge the Anfield fans as he walked off the field, an emotional moment that raised fears it could be his last appearance on the field.

Liverpool later confirmed in a statement: “Liverpool FC can confirm that Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season. “The No. 11 was substituted during the second half of last Saturday’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace at Anfield. “However, Salah is expected to return to action before the end of the 2025-2026 season and his departure from the Reds this summer.” Manager Arne Slott remains hopeful that Salah will feature again before the season ends, with matches against Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford FC still to come.

Saudi League interests and alternative options

Clubs in the Saudi Professional League remain the main contenders for Salah’s signature according to Betfair odds, at 8/11, with the league’s financial strength and long-term recruitment strategy continuing to target international stars. The Saudi Public Investment Fund has long viewed Salah as a central figure in raising the profile of the global league, potentially placing him alongside players like Cristiano Ronaldo in Al Nassr.

Major League Soccer is the most likely next destination at 15/8, reflecting its growing appeal as a competitive and commercially attractive league, while a return to AS Roma is at 10/1. Roma remains a sentimental option given Salah’s previous spell in Italy, where he scored 19 goals and helped the club reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Other clubs listed on the betting market include Barcelona, ​​Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United at 11/1, followed by AC Milan and Real Madrid at 12/1, Juventus at 14/1, Bayern Munich at 22/1, and Tottenham Hotspur at 25/1.

Current season performance and evaluation

Salah’s individual production remains strong, with the striker scoring 12 goals and nine assists in 39 appearances this season, while his current market valuation is estimated at around €30 million. Despite the injury setback, there is an expectation within Liverpool that he will return before the season ends, which could allow him to make his final appearance at Anfield in the closing match against Brentford on 24 May 2026.

For Egypt, the timing of his recovery also holds great importance ahead of international commitments, especially with the 2026 World Cup only a few weeks away, given his previous experience of playing at less than full fitness during the 2018 World Cup.

The decision remains open as the next step takes shape

While Saudi Arabia continues to offer the most financially lucrative path, ongoing talks with Fenerbahce, and Salah’s stated preference to remain in Europe, have introduced a new dimension to what appeared to be a settled transfer saga. With negotiations paused but not collapsed, and several markets still open, a final decision remains unresolved, and Salah’s next move is likely to define the concluding phase of a 14-year career at the highest level of European football.