In a jaw-dropping pivot that’s left football insiders reeling and Liverpool fans breathing a sigh of relief, the chairman of Saudi Pro League side Al-Kholood has publicly slammed the door on a mega-move for Mohamed Salah, branding the Egyptian superstar a “bad fit” for the kingdom’s burgeoning league. Instead, Ben Harburg is urging his rivals to “quay xe” – or do a screeching U-turn – and chase Real Madrid’s electric winger Vinicius Junior, the 25-year-old Brazilian phenom who’s lighting up La Liga with his blistering pace and flair.

The bombshell comments, dropped during an explosive interview at the World Football Summit in Seville on Wednesday, come hot on the heels of fresh rumors that Saudi cash cows like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are circling Anfield once more for the 33-year-old goal machine. Salah, whose contract expires in the summer of 2026, has been coy about his future following a bombshell interview last weekend where he hinted at “uncertainty” over his Reds tenure. But Harburg, the outspoken American investor steering Al-Kholood – currently scraping by in 11th place in the 18-team table – isn’t buying the hype. “He’s underperformed massively since signing that boatload deal at Liverpool,” Harburg fired off, his words echoing across the summit’s packed halls like a referee’s whistle.

Picture this: It’s mid-December 2025, the Saudi Pro League is flexing its financial muscles after splashing £500 million on aging icons like Ronaldo, Benzema, and Neymar over the past two years. The league’s chief executive, Omar Mugharbel, had just confirmed Salah remains “welcome” in the desert, with clubs holding the reins on any negotiations. Whispers of a £150 million-plus bid – dwarfing the rejected offer from 2023 – were swirling faster than a Riyadh sandstorm. Salah himself admitted to “serious” talks with SPL bosses before penning his Liverpool extension, fueling dreams of a homecoming for the Giza-born icon whose regional roots could supercharge attendances from Jeddah to Dammam.

But Harburg, a sharp-suited Silicon Valley transplant who’s poured his tech fortune into Al-Kholood’s promotion push last season, sees it differently. “There’s already apprehension among the public about him joining,” he declared, leaning into the microphone with the confidence of a man who’s bet big on Middle Eastern soccer’s glow-up. “Sure, some folks love his star power – he’s from the region, after all. But my sentiment? He’s not a fit for our league. At 33, with that massive paycheck, he’s past his prime. This would be his last stop, and we’re building for the future here.”

The real gut-punch? Harburg’s blunt preference for Vinicius Jr. “If it were between him and Vinicius, I’d take Vinicius – every time,” he added, painting a vivid picture of the SPL’s ideal next chapter. Vinicius, the 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up and Champions League hero, embodies the youth injection Harburg craves: explosive dribbles, global marketability, and zero baggage from Premier League burnout. At 25, he’s the “next wave” talent – a global brand with 15 goals and 10 assists already this season for Real Madrid – who could headline a new era for Saudi football, drawing in millennials and Gen Z fans who crave TikTok-ready highlights over nostalgia trips.

It’s a seismic shift in strategy. When Al-Hilal tabled that eye-watering 2023 bid for Salah, it was meant to be the SPL’s crown jewel: an Arab hero returning to conquer the dunes, blending cultural cachet with on-pitch sorcery. Fast-forward to now, and the narrative’s flipped. Harburg argues the league’s matured beyond “last hurrah” signings. “We’ve learned from the Ronaldo experiment – incredible draws, but sustainability matters,” he elaborated. “Guys like Salah rejected us once; pride stings, and they might not adapt. Vinicius? He’s hungry, versatile, and could thrive in our climate without the ego clashes.”

The backlash was swift and savage. Egyptian media erupted, with Al-Ahram branding Harburg’s take “insulting to a legend who’s outscored entire teams this season.” Liverpool Echo pundits chuckled at the “backhanded compliment,” noting Salah’s blistering 2025-26 form: 18 goals in 20 appearances, including a hat-trick in the Champions League rout of Inter Milan. “Underperformed? Tell that to the Ballon d’Or bookies who have him at 3/1,” one Anfield blogger sniped. Even in Saudi, reactions split: Al-Kholood’s modest fanbase hailed Harburg’s “real talk,” while glitzy Riyadh cafes buzzed with debates over whether Vinicius – with his outspoken activism and samba style – could handle the cultural leap.

Harburg’s no stranger to controversy. Since taking the reins at Al-Kholood in 2024, the 48-year-old venture capitalist has transformed the club from a second-division minnow into a scrappy Pro League survivor, blending data analytics with youth scouting. His summit appearance was billed as a “vision for SPL 2.0,” pitching a pivot from “galactico grabs” to “generational talents.” Vinicius fits the blueprint: a World Cup winner with resale value, whose off-field brand could eclipse Salah’s regional pull. “We’re not a retirement home,” Harburg quipped. “We want players who’ll elevate the league for a decade, not dip out after two.”

Behind the bluster, there’s method. SPL attendance has plateaued at 70% capacity despite the star influx, and TV ratings crave fresh faces. Vinicius, with his 50 million Instagram followers and flair for viral moments, could be the spark. Real Madrid, of course, would demand north of €200 million – a bargain compared to the chaos of chasing a reluctant Salah. Sources whisper Al-Ittihad’s already sounded out Vini’s camp, dangling a €50 million annual salary and a Jeddah penthouse.

For Salah, the snub stings but might just steel his resolve at Liverpool. Arne Slot, the Dutch tactician who’s molded the Reds into title contenders, shrugged off the noise post-Inter: “Mo’s future? No idea – but his present is world-class.” The player himself, ever the diplomat, posted a cryptic emoji string on Instagram – a lion emoji followed by a shrug – racking up 5 million likes overnight.

As the January window looms, Harburg’s heresy could reshape the transfer market. Will Al-Hilal double down on Salah, or heed the call for Vinicius? One thing’s clear: the Saudi Pro League’s no longer content with second-hand superstars. It’s gunning for the throne – and if that means ditching Mo for Vini, so be it. In the brutal world of modern football, even kings get traded in.

Somewhere in Merseyside, Salah’s probably lacing up his boots a little tighter, ready to remind the world why he’s still the Pharaoh. And in Riyadh’s boardrooms? The hunt for the next big thing just got a whole lot more electric.