Fernando Hierro discusses Al Nassr’s Mohamed Salah push
Fernando Hierro has lifted the lid on a failed attempt to take Mohamed Salah to Saudi Arabia – and made no secret of his desire to see the Liverpool forward in a Real Madrid shirt next.
The former Madrid captain, who served as Al Nassr’s sporting director, says the Saudi club explored a move for Salah when the Egyptian was allowed to speak to teams outside England during a previous contract stand-off at Anfield.
Salah is now heading towards the end of his Liverpool deal and is expected to leave Merseyside as a free agent next month, drawing a glittering nine-year spell at the club to a close. The 31-year-old has yet to confirm his next destination, but in Spain, the speculation has already started.
And Hierro, a five-time La Liga champion and three-time Champions League winner with Real, believes the forward would be a perfect fit at the Bernabeu.
“Salah to Real Madrid? Of course, I would love that,” he told ON Sport. “Salah is an outstanding player in every sense of the word. No one can deny his huge impact at Liverpool and the achievements he has made, especially winning the Premier League. I would love to see him at Real Madrid – anything is possible in football.”
For Hierro, Salah is not just another big name. He calls him a “true football phenomenon” and insists he is the kind of signing every elite club dreams of: decisive, consistent, and transformative.
“Salah is the type of player any club in the world would want to sign,” he said. “He is exceptional and has a direct impact on the pitch. He is not just a great player; he is a true football phenomenon who makes the difference wherever he plays.
“Imagine him in La Liga, whether with Real Madrid or Barcelona – it would be a huge boost for the competition. He has the quality, experience, and ability to adapt to any team or style of play.
“In the end, Mohamed Salah is a ‘top’ player in every sense. Any club in the world would be proud to have him… so why not see him one day at Real Madrid? Everything is possible in football.”
Behind the scenes, Hierro has already had Salah on his recruitment board. During his spell as Al Nassr’s sporting director for the 2024/25 campaign, he admits the Saudi Pro League side sounded out a potential deal in the final months of Salah’s Liverpool contract.
The conversations never really took off. Not because of a lack of interest in Riyadh, but because of Salah’s priorities at the time.
“There were indeed many reports in the past about the possibility of Mohamed Salah moving to the Saudi Pro League, but ultimately, the decision always lies with the player,” Hierro explained.
“At that time, his main focus was on Liverpool, which is completely normal for a player of his level.
“From our side, like any sporting management, when a name like Mohamed Salah comes up, it naturally attracts great interest because he is an exceptional player who would add value to any team in the world.
“So yes, in principle, it is impossible to reject the idea of signing a player of such quality – in fact, it would be an honor for any club.
“However, it must be emphasised that most of what was reported remained within the realm of rumors and did not reach advanced stages, especially given the player’s commitment to his club at that time.”
Salah eventually signed a two-year extension at Liverpool, shutting down the Saudi chatter and keeping him at Anfield. That deal is now winding down. The next decision will define the final stretch of his career.
Saudi Arabia, Europe’s elite, or something more surprising – every option will be floated. But in Madrid, at least one club legend has already nailed his colours to the mast.
