Al-Nassr are considering plans to bring Mohamed Salah to Saudi Arabia, with the aim of pairing the Liverpool forward with Cristiano Ronaldo in what would be one of the most high-profile attacking combinations in the game. The interest is not speculative. According to Saudi outlet Okaz, head coach Jorge Jesus has given the club his approval to pursue Salah in the upcoming summer window. The move comes as Salah, Liverpool’s Egypt forward and one of the Premier League’s most consistent scorers over the past decade, has already indicated he will leave Anfield after the 2025-26 season. However, any deal depends on a number of moving parts, including Jesus’ own contract situation, competition from other Saudi clubs and Salah’s final decision on his next destination.
Stances and internal conditions of George Jesus
Sources cited by Okaz indicate that Jesus “definitely wants” Salah at the club and is ready to launch his attack on the Egyptian forward alongside Ronaldo. The Portuguese coach sees Salah fitting directly into his system, both tactically and in terms of profile. However, there is a condition attached to it. Negotiations are ongoing between Al-Nassr’s management and Jesus over a contract extension, and clarity on his future is required before the club can proceed with major transfer decisions. Until this is resolved, the deal will remain in a holding pattern.
Competition, club status and advice calls
Even with manager support, the transfer is not straightforward. Okaz reports that Al-Nassr’s hierarchy still need to make a final decision on the financial and sporting scope of the deal, especially with expected interest from other Saudi Pro League sides. Salah’s own position will also be decisive. He is expected to receive many offers and the club will have his options open in terms of both project and role.Former professional footballer Paul-José M’Poku suggested a move to Saudi Arabia was a possibility, something that had been expected for years given Mohamed Salah’s position in the region. Salah has long been seen as a cultural bridge within the Middle Eastern football landscape, a man whose influence extends beyond the pitch, and is expected by fans and commentators alike to return closer to the visitors.Speaking to GOAL, M’Poku said: “I think Mo Salah will probably go to Saudi. I don’t know if it’s Al-Nassr, but yes, he will go. But now also PIF, they are trying to sell the club. So if the owner comes and says, I want to buy Al-Nassr, and this owner buys the players, it would be fine.”
Salah’s Liverpool chapter and current status
Salah, Liverpool’s Egyptian forward who spent nine seasons at the club, is third on their all-time scoring list and has won several major honours, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League. His decision to leave the club marks the end of one of the most productive tenures in the club’s modern history. This season, he has made 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists. However, his campaign has been cut short due to a hamstring injury suffered in a 3–1 win over Crystal Palace, with Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan indicating that his availability for the remainder of the season is unlikely.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah leaves the field after being substituted during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
Al-Nassr’s squad and long-term ambitions
Al-Nasser’s interest in Salah falls within a wider effort to re-establish himself domestically. The club has not won a Saudi Pro League title since 2019 and is competing against the recent dominance of Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad. Their current squad already includes several high-profile players: Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, French winger Kingsley Coman, former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, Portuguese attacker Joao Felix and Spanish defender Iñigo Martínez, who won La Liga with Barcelona in 2025. Adding Salah to that group, alongside Ronaldo, would represent a clear statement of intent on the pitch and commercially, as the club looks to build a side capable of reclaiming the league title.
What will this step indicate?
The prospect of Salah and Ronaldo playing together brings together two of the most recognizable forwards of their generation, one still central to the Portugal national team set-up, the other a pivotal figure in Liverpool’s recent history. For Al-Nassr, the deal depends on internal clarity, competition across the league and the player’s own decision. For now, interest is confirmed, approvals are in place, and the next steps depend on how those pieces come together in the coming months.