Robbie Fowler: ’Don’t be surprised if Salah leaves next week’

Since the first report came out with ‘Mohamed Salah’ and ‘Saudi Arabia’ words inside, the Liverpool fans are restless. Al-Ittihad apparently asked the Reds about their best player and were swiftly rejected. But according to another club’s legend, that move is not off the table. Salah’s agent initially tweeted that if his client wanted to leave the club, he would have done so much earlier, but the rumours didn’t stop. Even coach Jurgen Klopp had to come in front of the press and say that the Egyptian won’t go but also admitted that anything is possible until the Saudi Pro League transfer window is finished on September 20th.

And here comes Robbie Fowler to strike more fear. Writing directly from Saudi Arabia, where he is the coach of second-tier club Al-Qadsiah, Fowler used a column in Mirror to assure fans back home that Salah move could be on as early as next week.

“Here in Saudi Arabia, I can tell you the Mohamed Salah story is generating even more headlines than back in the UK. What I will do is tell you the truth as I see it on the ground out here - the link is there because the Pro League is absolutely serious about attracting the best players. I’m talking from the inside here. I know what the plan is - and that is to become one of the top five leagues in the world in the next five to 10 years. And the only way to do that is to invest in real talent. Which is why I wouldn't rule out Salah coming over here, if not this summer then at some point. And even in this window, you just don’t know, because it is not really down to clubs any more, it’s down to the player. ‌If he wants to leave, then he will eventually leave. Don’t be totally amazed if that happens in the next week or two, because the Saudi window is open later than back in the Premier League, until September 20“ writes Fowler.

When your own words bite you in the bum

Apart from being consistently one of the best players in England for years, there is another logical reason why Salah is a target for Al-Ittihad. 

„Egypt borders Saudi Arabia, of course, and the border across the Red Sea is not too far from Jeddah where Al-Ittihad is based. Just from my own observations, I can tell you Mo is the biggest star in this entire region. We speak about emerging leagues making statements. The Premier League did that when they started signing the best talent in the world, and Mo Salah would be the ultimate statement, which is why I’m amazed this interest didn’t surface a long time ago“ writes Fowler.

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Since this Saudi football madness started, many pundits are suspicious about the longevity of their plan and always give China as an example of a country that pumped a lot of money into football, only to give up on the idea a few years later.

Ž“Is the plan here sustainable? It looks that way to me. I think it’s far more sustainable than other leagues who’ve tried to attract the best players. People have drawn the comparison with the Chinese League, but this is a totally different situation“ assures Fowler.

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In the end, Liverpool’s legend has one more message to Salah.

‌“Mo Salah has achieved everything he can achieve in the Premier League, and he has given incredible service to Liverpool and English football. If he does decide he wants to try something different, you have to respect that. I say this to him: the league here is serious, and it is only going to grow, so he can come here with confidence. I’d also say, as a Liverpool fan, please don’t go Mo... not for a few years yet!“

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 3

Friday

Chelsea - Luton 3-0 (1-0)

/Sterling 17, 68, Jackson 75/

Saturday

Bournemouth - Tottenham 0-2 (0-1)

/Maddison 17, Kulusevski 63/

Arsenal - Fulham 2-2 (0-1)

/Saka 70 pen, Nketiah 72 - Pereira 1, Palhinha 87/

Brentford - Crystal Palace 1-1 (1-0)

/Schade 18 - Andersen 76/

Everton - Wolves 0-1 (0-0)

/Kalajdzic 87/

Man Utd - Nottingham Forest 3-2 (1-2)

/Eriksen 17, Casemiro 52, Bruno 76 pen - Awoniyi 1, Boly 4/

Brighton - West Ham 1-3 (0-1)

/Gross 81 - Ward-Prowse 19, Bowen 58, Antonio 63/

Sunday

16:00 (3.20) Burnley (3.40) Aston Villa (2.25)

16:00 (15.0) Sheffield United (7.25) Manchester City (1.18)

18:30 (2.30) Newcastle (3.70) Liverpool (3.15)

***odds are subject to change