Why Roma's Salah Dream Is Dead On Arrival: The Financial Reality
AS Roma's reported interest in re-signing Mohamed Salah represents one of football's most unrealistic transfer fantasies. With the Giallorossi battling FFP violations and the Egyptian locked into a Liverpool contract until 2027, the numbers tell a brutal story of ambition colliding with economic reality.
The romantics will love the narrative: Mohamed Salah returning to the Stadio Olimpico, where he first announced himself as world-class between 2015 and 2017. Italian outlet La Repubblica has floated Roma's interest in reuniting with their former talisman, but this isn't a fairy tale—it's a financial impossibility dressed up as ambition. The harsh economics of modern football, combined with Salah's contractual situation and Roma's precarious financial position, make this one of the least realistic transfer rumors of 2026.
The Contract Reality Liverpool Secured in April 2025
What many reports conveniently omit is the seismic shift that occurred last April. After months of speculation about his future, Salah signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool, committing him to Anfield until the summer of 2027. The deal, worth $41.6 million over two years with an annual salary of $20.8 million, ended the immediate uncertainty. Sky Sports and Liverpool's official channels confirmed the Egyptian had put pen to paper after extensive negotiations led by sporting director Richard Hughes.
This wasn't a reluctant extension. Salah's 2024-25 campaign had been extraordinary—27 goals and 17 assists in the Premier League alone made him the division's top scorer. His form justified every penny of the new deal. However, sources including transfer journalist Steve Kay have revealed a critical detail: an unwritten gentleman's agreement allows Salah to depart after one year, meaning summer 2026 remains a potential exit window. This clause gives Salah flexibility but doesn't make him available on the cheap.
Roma's Financial Straitjacket: The FFP Crisis
Here's where Roma's dream collides violently with reality. According to Goal.com's September 2025 reporting, the Giallorossi are facing severe Financial Fair Play violations. Senior advisor Claudio Ranieri delivered a stark warning: the club may need to sell valuable players to avoid UEFA punishment and potential exclusion from European competition. The club's pursuit of Jadon Sancho collapsed entirely due to these financial restrictions.
Roma's transfer strategy has pivoted toward acquiring young, developable talent who can be sold for profit—the polar opposite of signing a 33-year-old on massive wages. Reports indicate their working budget for transfers hovers around €30 million, a figure that wouldn't cover Salah's annual salary, let alone a transfer fee. When Roma couldn't even loan Artem Dovbyk to Genoa due to wage-sharing concerns, the idea of bringing in Salah becomes laughable from a financial perspective.
The Roma Romance: What They're Actually Remembering
It's worth acknowledging why Roma would even entertain this fantasy. Salah's two seasons in the Italian capital (2015-2017) represent some of the finest football the club has produced in the modern era. In 83 appearances across all competitions, he delivered 34 goals and 18 assists. His Serie A record was even more impressive: 29 goals and 16 assists in just 65 matches. During the 2016-17 campaign, Salah helped Roma mount an unsuccessful but thrilling title challenge, finishing just four points behind Juventus.
The Egyptian was Roma's top scorer in his first season and became the club's Player of the Season in 2015-16. His partnership with Edin Džeko and the tactical setup under Luciano Spalletti created one of Europe's most dynamic attacks. Liverpool ultimately paid €42 million (rising to €50 million with bonuses) to secure him in June 2017—a figure that looks comically low in retrospect. Roma missed the Neymar-driven market explosion by mere months; had they waited until after PSG's €222 million signing, Salah might have fetched double that amount.
The Saudi Pro League Factor: The Real Threat
If Salah does activate that gentleman's agreement and leaves Liverpool in summer 2026, Roma won't be competing with European clubs—they'll be up against the limitless wealth of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Senior figures from the Saudi Pro League have stated they are "absolutely convinced" Salah will join the league, with Al Hilal and Al Ittihad identified as frontrunners. Al Ittihad previously had a £150 million bid rejected by Liverpool in September 2023, demonstrating both their financial firepower and long-term commitment to securing the Egyptian.
Reports suggest Salah could earn up to €200 million annually in Saudi Arabia—nearly ten times what Roma could realistically offer. Al Hilal presents an intriguing reunion with former Liverpool teammate Darwin Núñez, while Al Ittihad could offer a link-up with Fabinho. With Cristiano Ronaldo, N'Golo Kanté, and other stars already in the league, the infrastructure exists to accommodate football's biggest Arab icon. Multiple Saudi clubs, including Aramco-owned Al Qadsiah, have expressed interest, creating internal competition that will only drive up Salah's value.
Where This Leaves Liverpool and Salah
The relationship between Salah and Liverpool manager Arne Slot appeared strained in late 2025. After being benched for three consecutive matches, Salah gave an explosive interview claiming he'd been "thrown under the bus" and that his relationship with Slot had deteriorated without explanation. He was subsequently dropped from the Champions League squad to face Inter Milan, suggesting a genuine rift. However, Salah returned to the matchday squad against Brighton before departing for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations, and Slot has publicly expressed his desire to keep the forward.
The manager's willingness to challenge Salah's guaranteed starting status represents a philosophical shift. At 33, Salah may need to accept a reduced role—something he hasn't been required to do throughout his Liverpool career. The AFCON break provides a natural cooling-off period, but the underlying tension about his future remains. With 243 goals in 394 appearances for Liverpool, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph, Salah has secured legendary status. Whether he stays to cement that legacy or seeks one final lucrative contract will define the next chapter.
The Analyst's Verdict
Impact Rating: C
Roma's reported interest in Salah is pure nostalgia without substance. The club's FFP constraints, combined with Saudi Arabia's willingness to offer contracts no European team can match, make this a non-starter. If Salah leaves Liverpool in 2026, it won't be for a romantic return to Rome—it will be for a transformative payday in Riyadh or Jeddah. Roma must focus on what's actually possible: developing young talent and stabilizing their balance sheet. The Salah ship sailed years ago, and no amount of wishful thinking will bring it back to port.
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