Saudi Arabia sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has revealed the truth behind the Saudi Pro League's pursuit of Mohamed Salah after the Egypt international committed his future to Liverpool.
Salah entered the final six months of his previous Anfield contract in January, leaving him free to enter pre-contract talks with foreign clubs ahead of a possible free transfer in the summer window.
However, the 32-year-old's priority was always to come to an agreement over a new contract with Liverpool, who announced earlier this month that he had penned a two-year extension until 2027.
Salah was memorably the subject of an apparent £150m bid from Al-Ittihad during the last knockings of the summer 2023 window, and rumours also circulated surrounding a world-record £200m offer, which came to nothing.
Al-Hilal then seemingly became the frontrunners earlier this year following Neymar's return to Santos, but Al-Faisal has confirmed that there were no recent talks between Salah's camp and the Saudi Pro League.
Saudi chief reveals Salah truth and transfer strategy
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Speaking to reporters at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - as quoted by ESPN - Al-Faisal 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 ... I think from day one 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% 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."
While the lucrative Saudi Pro League has long been seen as a destination for veteran players to enjoy one last mammoth payday, Al-Faisal was keen to highlight the recent arrivals of younger talent such as Jhon Duran and Gabri Veiga.
"If you see the last number of players that we signed or the club signed are mostly young players wanting to develop the league," he added. "To have the league very competitive. I'm not sure if you're following the league this year, but the competition is unbelievable in the top four clubs."
What records can Salah still break in a Liverpool shirt?
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The Salah-Saudi links will inevitably re-emerge once the Egyptian gets down to the last few months of his new Liverpool contract, and he has already achieved everything that there is to achieve team-wise on Merseyside.
However, another two years of Salah means another two years of breaking records, and the ex-Chelsea and Roma man should soon write a new chapter of Premier League history.
Salah's 45 goal contributions this season - 27 of his own and 18 assists - is a record for a 38-game campaign in the competition, and he needs just three more to break the all-time record of 47, set by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer in 42-game seasons.
At his current scoring rate, Salah is also on track to net over 230 goals in the Premier League, which would put him second in the all-time list behind Shearer by the time he calls it quits at Anfield.
Another 43 goals in all competitions for Liverpool would also see Salah overtake Roger Hunt into second place in the Reds' charts, only trailing the legendary Ian Rush, whom he needs 104 strikes to surpass.
Ben Knapton
