Anfield Watch
·14 August 2024
Graeme Souness claims Saudi Arabia move is "attractive" for Liverpool stars amid contract uncertainty
![Article image:Graeme Souness claims Saudi Arabia move is "attractive" for Liverpool stars amid contract uncertainty](https://image-service.onefootball.com/transform?w=280&h=210&dpr=2&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi0.wp.com%2Fanfieldwatch.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2Fimago1034406716h.jpg%3Ffit%3D2000%252C1332%26quality%3D99%26ssl%3D1)
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsAnfield Watch
·14 August 2024
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has weighed in on the contractual situation surrounding three of the club's biggest stars.
It's no secret that Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have all entered the final year of their respective deals with the Merseyside giants and are attracting interest from elsewhere.
Whilst a departure before the current transfer window closes is highly unlikely, the worry for Reds supporters, as things currently stand, is the aforementioned trio will be able to speak to potential suitors and sign pre-contract agreements from January 2025.
Graeme Souness claims Saudi Arabia move is "attractive" for Liverpool stars amid contract uncertainty 3 mins ago by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Slot turns to ‘hard-working’ Liverpool midfielder after Zubimendi rejection 32 mins ago by Bruce Davis
"I would be really interested" - Jamie Carragher picks ONE Liverpool transfer to complete before deadline 1 hour ago by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Alexander-Arnold, whilst talk of a switch to Saudi Arabia refuses to go away for van Dijk and Salah.
Now, with the latter duo the wrong side of 30, Souness believes the financial lure of moving to the Middle East may appeal to them and wouldn't be surprised if they run down their contracts to secure a big payday next summer.
"For Van Dijk and Mo Salah – particularly Salah – Saudi Arabia has got to be attractive," he told talkSPORT. "Maybe he’s going to play another year and Van Dijk, at his age, maybe he’s thinking that.
Football - FA Premier League - Leeds United FC v Liverpool FC LEEDS, ENGLAND - Monday, April 17, 2023: Liverpool s Mohamed Salah R and Virgil van Dijk L arrive before the FA Premier League match between Leeds United FC and Liverpool FC at Elland Road. LEEDS Elland Road YORKSHIRE ENGLAND PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xDavidxRawcliffex P2023-04-17-Leeds_Liverpool-31
"The lure of playing in Saudi Arabia will be enormous when you get to the wrong side of 30," Souness continued.
"If this is the last year of their contracts, I imagine they are running their contracts down to get the biggest payday they can possibly get.
"That would make sense for Salah and for Van Dijk, maybe the same. These conversations may have happened because it’s not the sort of thing that you want out."
Liverpool could look to hijack £36m Chelsea transfer amid Martin Zubimendi rejection 14 hours ago by Bence Bocsak
Liverpool's transfer window has been DISASTROUS; Richard Hughes is 0/4 this summer 16 hours ago by Sam McGuire
Another failure: Martin Zubimendi is now the FOURTH no.6 to reject Liverpool 20 hours ago by Alex Caple