The Saudi Pro League Will Not Actively Pursue Top Targets Like Salah and Mbappe Unless They Express An Interest In Joining – Michael Emenalo
Michael Emenalo, Saudi Pro League director of football, has expressed the league’s interest in their approach of top targets. Last summer, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF)-affiliated clubs aggressively pursued the likes of Osimhen and Mbappe. Later, Osimhen made it known he preferred the MLS project, while Mbappe has long been rumored to join Real Madrid once his PSG contract expires.
However, Emenalo revealed in an interview with Sky Sports that the SPL could be changing tactics. Referring to Liverpool’s Mo Salah, “We respect Liverpool, and in this scenario, the initiative to do anything won’t come from us. There has to be an aligned interest from all parties involved.”
Mo Salah was one of Emenalo’s recruits when he was at Chelsea. However, he seems not to be tapping on that history to convince the Egyptian forward to make the switch.
Emenalo expressed similar sentiments on Kylian Mbappe, saying there would be a club making space for him if he were interested in the Saudi project.
It remains to be seen whether this will be an official policy going forward where top Saudi clubs will avoid flashing attractive contract offers to convince top players to make the switch.
