“He's not a fit for our league” - Saudi Pro League club owner rules out Mo Salah transfer after ‘toxic’ behaviour at Liverpool

Saudi Pro League club Al Kholood's owner, Ben Harburg, believes Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is not a fit for the league. He claimed that the Egyptian is not a team player, adding that his recent comments were a clear indication of it.

Speaking to the media, Harburg said that Saudi Pro League clubs are already working on a deal to sign Salah, but he does not think it is the ideal move to benefit the league. He believes that they should be targeting the likes of Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and not players who are close to retirement and said (via Football 365):

“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 lineup. We don’t put people in the starting lineup 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. 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.”

Mohamed Salah has been linked with an exit from Liverpool after his recent comments about the club and manager Arne Slot.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah leaves door open for Saudi Pro League move

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah spoke to the journalists in the mixed zone last week, saying that the club and Arne Slot were throwing him under the bus. When asked if a move to the Saudi Pro League was on, the Egyptian said (via Independent):

“I don’t want to answer this question, because the club is going to take me to a different direction. I cannot say it is impossible [to solve issue at Anfield], but from what I feel, I have done so much for the club, I love the fans and the club so much, but I don’t know what is going to happen next.”

Mohamed Salah was dropped from the matchday squad for Liverpool's UEFA Champions League win over Inter Milan this week. He is expected to be left out of the Brighton & Hove Albion clash too, and he will be traveling to join the national team for AFCON next week.