Al Ittihad target Mohamed Salah as Benzema exit reshapes Saudi title race
Mohamed Salah has emerged as Al Ittihad’s leading target as the Saudi Pro League champions move to replace Karim Benzema following his shock switch to Al Hilal. The Liverpool forward is once again at the center of transfer speculation after a difficult season, with his future at Anfield increasingly uncertain.
Benzema’s departure has left a significant void in Jeddah. The former Real Madrid striker joined Al Hilal on Monday, ending his spell at Al Ittihad less than two years after arriving and despite helping deliver the 2024–25 league title. His exit has intensified scrutiny on a side struggling to defend their crown, sitting sixth with 34 points from 19 matches.
Al Hilal, by contrast, is firmly in control of the title race. Simone Inzaghi’s team tops the table, one point clear of Al Nassr, and the addition of Benzema strengthens a squad already packed with star power, including Sergej Milinkovic Savic, Malcom, Darwin Nunez and Theo Hernandez.
Al Ittihad now faces the challenge of finding a new attacking focal point. Salah has long been admired by Saudi clubs, and reports suggest his situation is being closely monitored as the club prepares for a major summer rebuild.
The 33-year-old remains under contract at Liverpool until 2026 after signing an extension last April, but his campaign has been underwhelming by his own standards. Salah has scored six goals in all competitions, publicly expressed frustration with the club in December, and spent January away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Saudi interest in Salah is not new. Al Ittihad saw a £150 million bid rejected in 2024, and the forward later acknowledged that talks had been serious. With the Saudi transfer window now closed, any move would have to wait until the summer, but the groundwork is already being laid.
Their urgency is compounded by uncertainty elsewhere in the squad. Winger Moussa Diaby is reportedly open to leaving, while N’Golo Kante continues to attract interest from Fenerbahce after a winter move collapsed due to administrative issues. Further exits would deepen the sense of transition at the club.
The wider Saudi Pro League landscape remains volatile. Reports of unrest at Al Nassr have emerged, with Cristiano Ronaldo said to be unhappy after Benzema’s move to Al Hilal, believing it tipped the balance of power in the title race. The league’s ambition to attract elite talent ahead of the 2034 World Cup continues, but recent developments have exposed growing tension behind the scenes.
For Al Ittihad, the message is clear. A summer reset is unavoidable, and securing a global icon like Salah would be a statement of intent after a turbulent season. Whether Liverpool is willing to negotiate remains to be seen, but his name now sits firmly at the top of Al Ittihad’s wish list.