Mohamed Salah-Karim Benzema Union Called Off as Neymar’s Al Hilal Deemed More ‘Appropriate’ Suitors: Reports

Last year, Karim Benzema‘s Al Ittihad made a world record $270 million offer to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. But Liverpool rejected the Saudi club’s advances. Even so, Al Ittihad did not keep Salah out of their radar. However, now, the club will have to call off its plans to unite Benzema with the Reds’ star attacker. At the heart of the potential move’s failure is the Saudi Arabian decision-maker’s displeasure over Al Ittihad’s lackluster campaign this season.

However, that does not mean Mohamed Salah is free from the radars of Saudi Arabia. Now the decision-makers in the Roshn Saudi League want to team Salah up with Neymar in Al Hilal.

Mohamed Salah’s links to Al Ittihad have been put to an end!

As per TeamTalk’s Ben Jacob, the Saudi League’s decision-makers thought Al Ittihad was suitable for Mohamed Salah because the club won the league last year. Now, they intend to switch and convince Salah to join Al Hilal, considering the club is leading the Saudi League table with 53 points, 7 clear of the second-seeded Al Nassr. Al Ittihad, on the other hand, has plummeted this season in their race to defend their RSL title. They’re struggling as the 7th seed on the table. In fact, Al Ittihad is the worst-positioned PIF-owned club this season.

The other PIF-owned clubs Al Hilal, Al Nassr, and Al Ahli occupy the top three positions of the table, in that order. Therefore, now, a pairing up of Mohamed Salah and Neymar looks more plausible. Neymar and Aleksandar Mitrovic aside, Al Hilal is missing similar star power in their right wing. A Mohamed Salah move could potentially end this shortcoming for the club, making them the best offensive force in the Saudi League. Speaking of Al Ittihad, not only are they struggling, but the environment around the club is not too welcome either. On the back of severe scrutiny and fan fury at Al Ittihad, Karim Benzema got close to calling it a day with the Dammam-based outfit.

Karim Benzema’s stay at Al Ittihad has been a bumpy ride

Karim Benzema scored 9 goals and assisted 5 times in his 15 Saudi League appearances for Al Ittihad. However, fans and journalists close to the club have overlooked his decent numbers. Besides, he was stranded in Mauritius and reported for the club’s training, 17 days late. On the back of such unpleasant episodes with the club’s fanbase too, the player wanted out of the Saudi side, eyeing a return to a European club.

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah Out for Chelsea & Arsenal Clash, Jurgen Klopp Confirms in Latest Liverpool Injury Report

Anyhow, the Frenchman took a U-turn and is staying in Saudi for the time being. Considering this atmosphere at Al Ittihad, it would be rather unwise for Mohamed Salah to join. His contract with Liverpool runs until 2025. With Jurgen Klopp’s exit, looming over the club, it is likely that Salah won’t extend his contract anymore. Therefore, Saudi suitors will again line up for the Egyptian with perhaps a bigger sum than what Al Ittihad had once offered.

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