Image Credits: Imago Images
The Saudi Pro League has its eyes firmly set on Liverpool this summer, and Mohamed Salah is just the start of it.
The Egyptian forward confirmed on Tuesday evening that he will depart Anfield on a free transfer at the end of the season, bringing to a close nine extraordinary years that produced six major trophies, over 230 goals and some of the most memorable moments in the club’s modern history.
Saudi clubs – most notably Al Hilal – have been chasing his signature for the best part of three years, and with Salah now available without a fee and open to exploring his options, the kingdom is widely expected to launch its most serious pursuit yet.
Yet as extraordinary as losing Salah would be, the Saudi Pro League’s reported interest does not stop there.
According to The Independent, league officials are also circling two of Liverpool’s most senior football figures – chief executive of football Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes – ahead of what many inside the club expect to be a significant summer of change at Anfield.​
Edwards’ position is particularly worrying given the circumstances of his return to Liverpool. He was specifically brought back in 2024 to spearhead an ambitious multi-club ownership strategy for Fenway Sports Group, following a model that has reshaped clubs such as Red Bull and City Football Group across Europe.
Reports suggest Edwards evaluated more than 30 clubs across France, Spain and other European leagues as potential acquisition targets before FSG ultimately shelved the entire project earlier this month, deciding the clubs identified were significantly overvalued
With the core reason for his return now removed, questions over his long-term commitment to the role have begun to circulate, and the Saudi Pro League – eager to recruit world-class football infrastructure as much as world-class players – reportedly sees him as an ideal candidate for an overarching leadership role within the league.​
Hughes, meanwhile, is understood to be viewed as a strong fit for a recruitment-focused role at Al Hilal specifically, a club that has consistently targeted elite European talent both on and off the pitch.
Together, the potential departures of Salah, Edwards and Hughes would represent a seismic reshaping of Liverpool’s football operation, leaving FSG with major decisions to make about the direction of the club heading.
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