Mohamed Salah Liverpool transfer truth emerges as Saudi Arabian sports minister breaks silence

Latest Liverpool transfer news as Saudi Arabia's minister of sport speaks out about Mohamed Salah interest

Mohamed Salah still 'fits the identity' of players the Saudi Pro League hope to sign, Saudi Arabia's sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has admitted.

However, he also confirmed that no negotiations have taken place before the 32-year-old recently announced his renewed Liverpool contract.

Before April's big announcement, Salah's future had been a source of anxiety throughout the season. On-field he contributed towards 55 goals whilst off it, he remained on course to leave in July, making small statements along the way.

Supporters were increasingly concerned when he entered the final six months of his previous deal, meaning he was eligible to talk terms with foreign suitors.

Now, Saudi Arabia's minister of sport has proven exactly why Liverpool supporters were correct to fear transfer interest from the Saudi Pro League throughout the Egyptian's contract saga.

"I mean, he's a superstar," Al-Faisal told reporters ahead of F1's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. "He's an iconic Arab Muslim. He fits the identity of playing in the Saudi league."

Salah has never hidden how much he loves Liverpool, again proving so with his first words after signing. His preference was always to renew and that was the message intentionally given to those with outside interest.

Al-Faisal added: "It was his decision to renew with, but linking Saudi to him and everything... I think from day one they link Saudi to him. There wasn't any discussions. But it's good to have that.

"Now you can see that any player wants to renew their contract or sign their, they [the media] are saying that they're coming to Saudi and most 90 percent of it is not true."

And whilst the Reds' chief goalscorer may be a player they'd like to sign in the future, the Saudi Pro League have other targets to keep themselves busy.

"I think we have a strategy that we're working on and everyone is saying that we're just signing any players," Al-Faisal added.

"If you see the last number of players that we signed or the club signed are mostly young players wanting to develop the league.

"To have the league very competitive. I'm not sure if you're following the league this year, but the competition is unbelievable in the top four clubs."