Arne Slot has called on Mohamed Salah to stay at Liverpool, urging the Egyptian to sign a new contract despite mounting speculation linking him with a move to the Saudi Pro League.

Salah, who has been in exceptional form this season and currently leads the Premier League with 19 goals, is out of contract in June. As the expiration date looms, rumors persist that Saudi Arabia could be a potential destination for the 32-year-old forward.

In an interview with Piers Morgan, Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal confirmed the nation's interest in Salah, calling him the “big prize” for the Middle Eastern country. He expressed strong cultural and historical ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, adding that Salah would be a welcomed addition to their football scene.

Despite this external interest, Liverpool manager Arne Slot emphasized his desire to retain Salah at Anfield. At his pre-match press conference on Friday, Slot shared: “We want him to extend, of course, as well. That is clear. But I’m not surprised that Saudi Arabia wants him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if other countries are also keen.”

Slot also acknowledged Salah’s experience and wisdom, trusting that the player would make the right decision for his career. He added, “He’s done so well without my advice for a long time, so he can probably keep doing what is best for his career, even without my input. But my advice to him would be different from the one you just mentioned.”

In addition to Salah, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and England international Trent Alexander-Arnold are both out of contract at the end of the season, creating further uncertainty for the club’s future.

Slot, whose team is preparing to face Bournemouth on Saturday, stated that discussions regarding player contracts are vital, but he declined to go into specifics about any ongoing negotiations.

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