Mo Salah: Talks with Saudi League officials were serious
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's talisman, has said that his talks with Saudi Pro League officials were serious, even though he eventually renewed his contract with the Premier League champions.
Negotiations between Salah and Liverpool were prolonged, and the Egyptian told NBC Sports last November that he was "more out than in".
Salah, who has been voted the Football Writers' Association Men's Player of the Year for the third time, gave an interview to the Egyptian TV channel On Sport after the ceremony, which was aired on Sunday.
When asked about his talks with SPL officials, the Premier League's top scorer said: "It was a good opportunity for me — if I hadn't renewed with Liverpool, it would have happened."
"My relationship with SPL officials is very good, we talked a lot, and the negotiations were serious," he added.
Salah eventually renewed his contract until 2027 and said that Liverpool's fans had played a role in that decision.
"The negotiations were long. I know the club's policy in negotiations, and we reached a middle ground that made us all happy," he added.
He also said: "Part of the pressure on the club came from the fans. I knew from the start that they wanted me to stay, and they played their part in all of this."
Salah, only the second player to win the FWA award three times after former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, topped the Premier League scoring chart with 29 goals this season, helping Liverpool to their second league title since he joined in 2017.
Salah also spoke about the difference between Arne Slot, Liverpool's current head coach, and his predecessor, Jürgen Klopp.
"Every coach has a different style of play, but I talk a lot with Slot and we understand each other very well," he said.
"Unlike Klopp, we sit down together often and talk. He was honest with me from the beginning and told me that he wants to get the best out of me — and I told him that I want to feel comfortable on the pitch."
The Egyptian praised Klopp for his contributions to the club, saying the German "gave so much to the club, and it won a lot under him."
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