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Al-Hilal and their pursuit of Mohamed Salah has gained fresh momentum following Neymar’s imminent departure, with the Saudi club set to free up €65 million in wages ahead of a likely ambitious summer move for the Liverpool forward

The Egyptian has registered 20 goals and 17 assists in 26 appearances, maintaining a goal contribution every 54.1 minutes.

His Premier League performance has been particularly impressive, with 17 goals and 13 assists in just 18 appearances.

While the Saudi Pro League’s previous attempts to sign Salah were rebuffed, the landscape has shifted since last summer.

The 32-year-old himself has acknowledged the lack of progress in contract negotiations with Liverpool, stating they are “far away” from any agreement.

His current deal expires in June 2025, allowing him to negotiate with foreign clubs from this month.

Representatives from the Saudi Pro League were reportedly in London this month to make negotiations with various targets easier.

Al-Hilal’s financial restructuring, triggered by Neymar’s early departure to Santos, provides them with significant flexibility in their wage structure.

The club has demonstrated its financial muscle in recent transfer windows, having secured high-profile signings including Aleksandar Mitrovic (£45m) and Malcom (£51.5m)

And now it has been reported that another factor is playing into the hands of the Al-Hilal club.

FIFA Council adds transfer window

Jason Burt of the Telegraph has released a piece documenting Al-Hilal’s increasing odds of landing Mohamed Salah if he does depart in the summer transfer window.

Interestingly, the report reveals that the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup could be subject to a special transfer window.

Indeed, Burt reports:

“The Fifa Council have approved regulations for the Club World Cup “which seek to address technicalities and equalise inconsistencies created by different registration periods… between participating clubs” in the competition.”

“In essence, this means they are proposing an “exceptional” transfer window from June 1 to 10 prior to the start of the Club World Cup?

That is ahead of the usual timing for the window to open.”

“The new agreement would, therefore, give Al-Hilal the opportunity to try to sign Salah, or another player, so he can play for them in the Club World Cup if they do agree any more deals during this window.”

The timing is particularly crucial as Al-Hilal has been drawn in the same group as Real Madrid for the tournament in the United States.

Al-Hilal would no doubt want to flaunt Salah in front of the record European champions.

It has been reported by a local Egyptian outlet that the Liverpool man has rejected the latest offer from the club.

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