Reports indicate Mohamed Salah’s options for a summer move to Saudi Arabia have narrowed after three of the country’s biggest clubs made clear they will not pursue him. ESPN says Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Ahli are “not interested” in the Egypt international, reducing the number of serious bidders.

That leaves Al Ittihad as the clearest potential suitor. The club remain linked to Salah after their high-profile, unsuccessful $200 million (£150 million) approach in 2023. Al Ittihad have been persistent since that pursuit three years ago and are described as treating the 33-year-old as a long-term priority.

Al Qadsiah are cited as the only other feasible Saudi option if Salah decides to move to the Pro League, but the expectation is that Al Ittihad will be the side most capable of funding a deal. Dealmakers are believed to view the transfer as within Al Ittihad’s financial reach, and Salah is thought to be willing to consider a switch.

The central challenge for any bidder is the sporting case. Al Ittihad lost Karim Benzema to Al Hilal at the turn of the year, a departure described as an enormous blow, and the club may face further high-profile exits. Their current leading figure is Moussa Diaby, formerly of Aston Villa, but he is thought to be keen on an exit himself.

Other notable names at Al Ittihad include Youssef En-Nesyri and Roger Fernandes, alongside Fabinho, a former Liverpool teammate of Salah. The report suggests Fabinho could be departing too, with Manchester United’s Casemiro the preferred replacement.

Those changes have shown on the pitch. Last season’s Saudi champions now sit sixth in the Pro League, 25 points behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s league-leading Al Nassr, underlining why Al Ittihad might feel compelled to add a superstar if they hope to restore their standing.

Cristiano Ronaldo has sealed his exit from Al Nassr as the summer window approaches. Real Madrid are reportedly prioritising a move for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and are expected to submit an offer of over $92.5 million (€80 million, £69.1 million).

Napoli are seeking a reduction on the $50.9 million (€44 million, £38 million) option to sign Rasmus Højlund permanently from Man Utd, with that clause becoming an obligation if Antonio Conte’s side qualify for the Champions League.

Manchester United continue to explore defensive cover and have targeted Nottingham Forest centre back Murillo as back-up for Lisandro Martínez. Inter have indicated Alessandro Bastoni is not untouchable amid interest from Barcelona.

In midfield activity, Paris Saint-Germain are preparing a bid for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández, but the Blues have been warned a fee of $173.5 million (€150 million, £129.5 million) would be required to convince them to sell. Manchester City are assessing Atlético Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios as they consider life without Rodri, while Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is reportedly unconvinced by the idea of signing the Man City midfielder after a recent Champions League performance.

Arsenal remain active on several fronts. Riccardo Calafiori is considering his future at Arsenal in search of more minutes, and Chelsea are weighing a surprise approach. RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has been discussed as a summer target, with sporting director Andrea Berta holding talks. Arsenal have also discussed potential offers for Brentford winger Kevin Schade and have been linked with Feyenoord winger Anis Hadj Moussa, though Newcastle could rival them for his signature.

Chelsea want to appoint Aston Villa manager Unai Emery at season’s end; Emery has demanded Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, Borussia Dortmund centre back Nico Schlotterbeck and Victor Osimhen as conditions for a move. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has met Schlotterbeck to attempt to persuade him to join Anfield, while Liverpool are also stepping up their pursuit of Juventus centre back Pierre Kalulu.

Other notes: West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is attracting interest from Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd with bids of over $75.2 million (€65 million, £56.1 million) needed to open negotiations; Anthony Gordon is reportedly unhappy at Newcastle and is interested in Liverpool and possibly Arsenal; Juventus are exploring moves for Tottenham right back Djed Spence and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski.

The Saudi Pro League has identified Mohamed Salah and Vinicius Junior as headline targets as the competition plans another recruitment push. League owners are positioned to capitalise on a changing roster of high-profile arrivals whose contracts begin to expire in 2026.

Salah has long featured on Saudi wishlists. Making a ‘local’ Arab star the face of the league would carry major regional significance. Interest in Salah “has been no secret in the past. But with his Liverpool future uncertain beyond this season following a difficult few months, the Telegraph has reported that Saudi interest is rising again.” Enquiries regarding the possibility of prising him away from Liverpool this month are said to have failed. The 33-year-old faces a decision in the coming months about whether to leave Anfield and, if so, whether to remain in Europe or move further afield. There is no doubt that the money on offer in Saudi Arabia cannot be rivalled anywhere else.

Vinicius Junior represents a different proposition. At 25 he is notably younger than many recent signings to the league. Contract talks with Real Madrid stalled due to a strained relationship with Xabi Alonso, and the player is reported to be seeking a salary Madrid are unwilling to meet as he seeks to re-establish alpha dog status. With his contract running until 2027 the Brazilian is approaching a career crossroad and will need to choose his next step.

The pathway for fresh investment is partly created by impending contract expiries among the first wave of arrivals. Several veteran stars at Saudi clubs are on track to become free agents in 2026, potentially freeing funds for new signings. Clubs with common ownership among the biggest domestic teams are well funded and can present competitive proposals to players and their advisers.

The dynamic is simple: a transition from an opening era of veteran imports to a new recruitment phase that targets elite talent still in their peak years. For the Saudi Pro League, Salah and Vinicius Jr are emblematic of that next phase.