Mo Salah's view on Liverpool transfer made clearer after Saudi Pro League rule change

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah's view on a potential transfer to Saudi Arabia has seemingly been made clearer amid a Saudi Pro League rule change.

Salah was heavily linked with a move to the Gulf state in the summer, with Liverpool rejecting a £200 million bid made by Al Ittihad prior to deadline day.

The Daily Mirror claimed that the Saudi club had a 'plan B', which was to bid for the Egyptian again in January if the Reds were not challenging for the Premier League title this season.

But with Jurgen Klopp's side currently top of the division, that plan looks as if it is out of the window.

Salah himself has had another extraordinary season to this point, scoring 14 goals and providing eight assists in 20 Premier League matches to average more than one direct goal contribution per game.

There have been reports that the 31-year-old is now considering signing an extension to his Liverpool contract, which expires in the summer of 2025.

And according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, there are some that believe the forward has little desire to depart the elite level of European football at this stage.

He explained in his latest column: "Some have suggested to me that Salah still has the appetite to continue competing at the top level of European football with Liverpool, so a departure is not certain at all. Crucial times ahead."

Ornstein also said: "Liverpool have managed contract situations really well in recent seasons and I don't think there's anything to suggest they won't again here... albeit the football hierarchy has changed a little with the departures of Michael Edwards and Julian Ward, and the arrival of Jorg Schmadtke.

Another factor that may come into Saudi Arabian thinking is a new rule change, which boosts the number of non-Saudi players each club can sign from eight to 10.

However, while eight players are still without an age limit, the other two players must be players born after 2003, so that the league can "boost investment in young talent".

While there have been foreign players, such as 21-year-old Gabri Veiga, that have moved to the league at younger ages, considerable numbers of the 2023 summer influx of players were over the age of 30.

That, in turn, may influence whether the signing of Salah is hotly pursued - although acquiring a player of his reputation and profile would be a game-changer for the league.