Saudi Arabia Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal says Liverpool star Mohamed Salah "ticks all the right boxes" for the Saudi Pro League. The Reds forward has been the topic of speculation over a move to the Middle East for a number of years following interest from Al-Ittihad in 2023.

Reports have intensified in recent months with the Egyptian facing the prospect of leaving Anfield on a free transfer, as his contract expires in the summer.

Salah has been in red-hot form for Liverpool this season after helping Arne Slot's side to the top of the Premier League and Champions League with 23 goals in 32 appearances, including 19 in the English top-flight and three in seven European outings.

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The ECHO reported back in September how Salah was desperate to stay put on Merseyside. However, The Telegraph reported this week that Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal are favourites to sign the 32-year-old, if he leaves Anfield.

"He ticks all the right boxes, even for us, we would love to have him," the Saudi sports minister told Piers Morgan. "He's Egyptian, we have a very good relationship and we feel at one with the Egyptians from our culture and our history and so on.

"To have Mo Salah or others that are good role models would be a pleasure and privilege to have in the Saudi League. Will it happen or not, that's up to the clubs to decide and see what negotiations go on.

"At the end of the day, we want the league to be within the top five leagues watched and commercially-driven leagues that people around the league to aspire to play there in the Saudi league.

"I don't see any harm in that, we can collaborate with everyone in Europe to make sure that we can deliver on that."