Mohamed Salah turned 34 at the World Cup and immediately reminded everyone why the transfer scramble around him is so frenzied — he picked up the first assist of the 2026 tournament, threading a 19th-minute pass to Emam Ashour that beat Courtois low to his right in Egypt's Group G opener against Belgium.
The timing couldn't be more pointed. Salah is a free agent, his early Liverpool exit already confirmed, and every week he performs on the biggest stage, his asking price — or rather, the desperation of his suitors — climbs a little higher.
Al Nassr are pushing hardest
Among the clubs in pursuit, Al Nassr are moving most aggressively. Manager Jorge Jesus is said to be personally backing the deal, and the club's pitch is obvious: pair Salah with Cristiano Ronaldo in attack. It's the kind of forward line that makes Saudi Pro League viewing figures interesting and opposing defences nervous.
Financially, Al Nassr are prepared to go further than Liverpool ever did. Reports suggest the overall package — base salary plus commercial and sponsorship incentives — could match or surpass what Ronaldo currently earns. That's a significant number. It would make Salah one of the highest-paid footballers on the planet.
There's a sentimental angle too. Sadio Mané is already at Al Nassr. The Salah-Mané partnership at Anfield helped Liverpool win the Champions League and end a 30-year Premier League title drought under Klopp. Reuniting them in Riyadh is a genuine draw, not just a PR talking point.
The competition is real
Al Nassr aren't alone. Al-Ittihad have reportedly offered a three-year deal worth around £65 million net per season — a figure that didn't land in 2023 and may not land now either, but the Jeddah club haven't given up. Al-Hilal are monitoring. Fenerbahçe claim to have made meaningful progress. PSG and unnamed MLS clubs remain in the background if Salah decides the Middle East isn't the destination.
The decision won't come during the tournament. Salah has Egypt's World Cup campaign to focus on, and based on that Belgium assist, he's in the kind of form that makes you suspect there's more to come in the group stage. His next club will be watching every minute of it.
- Al Nassr — pushing hardest, Jorge Jesus backing the move, Mané reunion angle
- Al-Ittihad — £65m net/season proposal, failed once in 2023, still in the race
- Fenerbahçe — reportedly in advanced talks
- Al-Hilal — monitoring, no formal offer reported
- PSG / MLS clubs — fallback options if Salah rules out Saudi Arabia
One thing is clear: whoever signs Salah gets a player still producing at World Cup level at 34. The transfer market will have to wait. Egypt aren't done yet.
