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Broadcaster and former footballer Ian Paul Joy believes Mohamed Salah could be a bigger signing than Cristiano Ronaldo for the Saudi Pro League. He highlighted the Egyptian winger's connection in the region and heaped praise on his quality as well.
Salah has been linked with a move away from Liverpool following his explosive interview earlier this month. He slammed the club and head coach Arne Slot after being benched for three straight games. He has been heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League in the January transfer window.
Ian Paul Joy believes that if a bid comes in, Liverpool will accept it in January, as he said on CBS Sports:
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"I think both would take it right now. I think Mohammad Salah would be an unreal signing for Saudi Pro League. I really do. I mean, you've got to think of the language that he speaks that can connect to so many people in that region."
If you're trying to grow the game, not necessarily worldwide, especially for the SPL, the Saudi Pro League, you need to have someone who can speak your language, and Muhammad Salah offers so much, but he's also an icon. He's a world footballing icon."
Joy also claimed that the 33-year-old winger could be a bigger signing for Saudi Pro League than Cristiano Ronaldo, adding:
"As you know, Mohamed Salah will be a wanted man from the Saudi Pro League, as far as I'm concerned. They will throw a lot of money at him, and I do be thinking, because of the language and equality of player in the profile he has in that region and around the world, he would be bigger than Cristiano Ronaldo. I honestly believe that."
Al-Ittihad reportedly made a huge bid worth £150 million for Salah in 2023, but Liverpool rejected it.
Saudi Arabia's minister of sports opened up about Mohamed Salah following Cristiano Ronaldo to SPL
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January 2023 and has helped it gain immense popularity, with numerous stars moving to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabian clubs have now been linked with a potential move for Mohamed Salah. The winger signed a new contract with Liverpool last season, which will expire in 2027.
Following his contract renewal, Saudi Arabia's minister of sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, spoke about potentially signing the Egyptian winger. He said:
"I mean, he's a superstar. He's an iconic Arab Muslim. He fits the identity of playing in the Saudi league. It was his decision to renew with, but linking Saudi to him and everything... think from Day 1 they link Saudi to him. There wasn't any discussions. But it's good to have that.
"Now you can see that any player wants to renew their contract or sign their, they [the media] are saying that they're coming to Saudi and most 90 per cent of it is not true. But I think we have a strategy that we're working on and everyone is saying that we're just signing any players," he added.
Following Cristiano Ronaldo's move to the Saudi Pro League, many stars like Neymar Jr. and Karim Benzema have joined the league.
