"He felt like he had unfinished business" - SPL chief explains why Mohamed Salah did not leave Liverpool last summer

Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo has explained why he felt Mohamed Salah didn't want to leave Liverpool in the summer. The Egyptian superstar was heavily linked with a move to Saudi but opted to stay at Anfield.

The Reds rejected a £150 million offer from Saudi giants Al-Ittihad for Salah in the summer of 2023, per CaughtOffside. The 32-year-old didn't push to leave the Merseysiders and is now heading into the final few months of his contract.

Speculation continues to grow over Salah, who is flourishing this season. He's bagged six goals and five assists in 10 games across competitions.

Emenalo commented on the Saudi Pro League's failure to lure the 101-cap Egypt international to the Middle Eastern's top-tier competition. He confirmed there was interest in the forward but suggested the Reds attacker prioritized remaining at Anfield (via the source above):

"Fundamentally, Liverpool didn’t want to sell and what price were we willing to buy at? We don’t want to buy at a ridiculous amount. The most important part is if the player is ready to come. I didn’t feel the player was ready to come because he felt like he had unfinished business."

He has been with the Merseysiders since 2017 and become an icon at Anfield. He's posted 217 goals and 94 assists in 359 games across competitions, winning eight major trophies.

Emenalo feels the former AS Roma attacker will want to leave the Reds the right way:

"Very few players do it, but you have to leave the club in the right way. When you are at that level and you have done things, it’s important to leave the club in the right way."

The club's third all-time top scorer is one of three high-profile stars whose contracts expire next summer. Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also coming into the final few months of their current deals. Reports claim Slot has his sights set on Real Madrid winger Rodrygo as a replacement should the Egyptian part ways.

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"That legacy to play for" - Ian Wright tipped Salah to stay at Liverpool

Mohamed Salah won the Champions League in 2019 (Image - Getty)

Premier League legend Ian Wright reckons Salah will want to stay at Liverpool to break more records at Anfield. He's made history with the Merseysiders, the first player in English top-flight history. 10 or more goals and 10 or more assists in three consecutive seasons.

Wright gave his thoughts on the situation and suggested the attacker might have a milestone in his sights (via The Mirror):

"I do get the impression that he will probably like to stay at Liverpool and break records. He has got that legacy to play for. Let’s say he stays for three years. Even if he dropped off in the last year, that’s 10 years of unbelievable service."

Salah has been a standout performer under new manager Slot amid an impressive start to the Dutch coach's reign. He's one of the club's longest-serving players and a leader.