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Türkiye's reigning champion Galatasaray is said to have intensified its efforts to sign Liverpool’s Egyptian star Mohamed Salah with a salary offer of up to €15 million ($17.6 million) per year, while also pursuing Real Madrid’s German center-back Antonio Rudiger, according to reports.
Uncertainty over Salah’s future at Liverpool continues to grow, as the 33-year-old winger finds himself in the mid of a series of exclusions from key matches and reported frustrations with the club’s current direction.
On the other hand, Rudiger emerges as the top option to strengthen the Istanbul club’s defense, as he struggles to find playing time at the Spanish side following his long-term injuries, Turkish media reported.
Salah, 33, has recently found himself out of favor at Liverpool, having been left out of the squad for the UEFA Champions League fixture against Inter Milan and benched for three consecutive league matches.
In Liverpool’s most recent match against Brighton, Salah again started on the bench before coming on in the 26th minute to replace Joe Gomez. The changes in his playing time have sparked renewed speculation over a potential departure.
According to Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport, the Turkish side's approach appears ambitious; competing with interest from Saudi Arabian clubs could pose a challenge.
Liverpool is reportedly valuing the player’s transfer fee between €50 million and €60 million, with Saudi teams prepared to offer as much as €20 million per year in wages.
Multiple clubs in the Saudi Pro League have reportedly contacted the player’s agent to inquire about his availability. One Egyptian journalist noted that even if Galatasaray makes a formal offer, a move to Saudi Arabia could still be a more realistic scenario.
Salah’s current contract, extended in 2024 at €13 million per year, runs through the summer of 2027.
In addition to strengthening its attack, Galatasaray is actively seeking defensive reinforcements, with Rudiger among the key names linked to the club ahead of the January window. The German defender is reportedly open to offers, and Galatasaray is expected to make a formal approach in the coming weeks.
Under head coach Okan Buruk, the club is prioritizing the addition of a central defender to bolster its rotation, with Rudiger viewed as the ideal candidate, Turkish sports outlet Fanatik reported.
Rudiger, who missed eight matches due to a meniscus injury at the end of last season and a further 15 games with a thigh injury at the start of this season, has made only four appearances so far in the current campaign.
His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and his current market value stands at €12 million, according to Transfermarkt.
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