Featured Image Credit: Getty/FIFA
Topics: Liverpool, Mohamed Salah, Transfer News, Premier League, FIFA, Saudi Pro League, Football, Manchester City, FIFA Club World Cup
Ben McCrum
Topics: Liverpool, Mohamed Salah, Transfer News, Premier League, FIFA, Saudi Pro League, Football, Manchester City, FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA have approved a massive new transfer rule change that could allow Liverpool star Mohamed Salah to leave the club in a shock late move.
Despite Liverpool enjoying massive success in all competitions under new boss Arne Slot this season, almost all attention from fans has been focused on the futures of star players Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah.
As it stands, all three players are out of contract at the end of the season and, despite reports of several offers being tabled across the season, it would appear that a new deal is not yet close for any of them.
And now, Liverpool have been dealt a fresh blow in their hopes of holding on to Salah, after FIFA approved a new change to the transfer rules that could see him leave the club sooner than expected.
Advert
After Salah admitted that he views the current Liverpool season as his last with the club, rumours have began circulating over what could be next for the Egyptian winger.
The 32-year-old has since been heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al Hilal the favourites to sign him after freeing up the funds for a massive signing after they terminated the contract of Neymar Jr.
FIFA's recent rule change has also boosted Al Hilal's chances as, according to The Telegraph, new rules would give the Saudi club the opportunity to add Salah to their squad in time for the Club World Cup.
The rule, which was agreed to by a FIFA council, essentially introduces a change to the transfer window rules to allow an “exceptional” transfer window that runs from June 1 to 10, ahead of the start of the Club World Cup.
The purpose of the rule is to "seek to address technicalities and equalise inconsistencies created by different registration periods… between participating clubs” in the elite competition.
This means that Salah, or several other Premier League players, would be able to leave a week earlier than the usual opening of the window on June 12, if they are looking to join a club competing in the competition this year.
Manchester City and Chelsea are the only English clubs competing in the competition, meaning that they will be the only Premier League sides who can benefit from the rule change.