The 2026/27 club season is underway and football fans are already being treated to compelling storylines. Just over a month after Spain defeated Argentina in the Fifa World Cup final in New Jersey, the focus has shifted back to the club game, with new signings, fresh tactical systems, and enormous contracts dominating the headlines.
The transfer window produced several significant moves, and none was more surprising than Mohamed Salah leaving Liverpool for Trabzonspor. The Egyptian forward had spent nine years at Anfield, where he became a modern legend. Many expected him to join the Saudi Pro League, but Trabzonspor, a club from Turkey's Super Lig, won the race. The Turkish side described the signing as the biggest in their history, and the scenes at Trabzon Airport and Papara Park confirmed the excitement.
Arab players are central to the story of the 2026/27 season. The last World Cup in North America featured eight teams from the Arab world, giving millions of fans a reason to watch their own stars on the biggest stage. Now those players have returned to their clubs, and some are earning salaries that place them among the wealthiest athletes in football.
Key facts
- Mohamed Salah is the highest-paid Arab footballer in the world for 2026/27 with a weekly wage of $470,000 at Trabzonspor.
- Omar Marmoush is second at Manchester City with $400,000 per week.
- Morocco has six players on the list, more than any other Arab nation.
- The Saudi Pro League is represented by three players: En-Nesyri, Bounou, and Aouar.
- Manchester City and Al Ittihad each have two players on the list.
- The data was collected through salary leaks and media reports.
Highest-paid Arab footballers for 2026/27
The list below ranks the top earners in descending order based on reported weekly wages. Tied salaries are listed alphabetically by club.
- Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor) – $470,000 per week
- Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) – $400,000 per week
- Youssef En-Nesyri (Al Ittihad) – $330,000 per week
- Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) – $300,000 per week
- Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal) – $220,000 per week
- Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United) – $180,000 per week
- Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) – $160,000 per week
- Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City) – $160,000 per week
- Houssem Aouar (Al Ittihad) – $130,000 per week
- Ismael Saibari (Bayern Munich) – $115,000 per week
Mohamed Salah: Still the king of Arab football
Mohamed Salah has been the face of Arab football for more than a decade. He began his European career in Switzerland with Basel before moving to Chelsea, then found his true home at Liverpool. During his nine seasons at Anfield, Salah scored more than 200 goals and played a leading role in the club's Champions League and Premier League triumphs. He was named the Premier League Player of the Season, won three Golden Boots, and finished among the top contenders for the Ballon d'Or on multiple occasions.
The decision to leave Liverpool was not an easy one. Salah had become an icon at the club, and his connection with the supporters was special. However, contract talks and a desire for a new challenge led to a mutual agreement to end his stay. Trabzonspor acted quickly and convinced Salah that Turkey was the right place for the next phase of his career.
His $470,000 weekly wage makes him the highest-paid Egyptian player in history. The salary also puts him ahead of many global stars who continue to play in the Premier League. Salah's move to Trabzonspor is a major coup for the Turkish Super Lig, which has been growing in commercial power in recent years.
Omar Marmoush: The new face of Egyptian attacking football
Omar Marmoush has experienced a remarkable transformation. He first arrived in Europe as a promising but unproven forward. After spells with VfL Wolfsburg and Stuttgart, Marmoush joined Eintracht Frankfurt, where he exploded into form. His goals and assists attracted attention from England, and Manchester City signed him in a big-money deal. At City, Marmoush has become an integral part of one of the most talented squads in Europe.
His salary of $400,000 per week illustrates how highly City rate him. Marmoush can play as a central striker or on either wing, and his movement makes him difficult for defenders to mark. He has also developed a strong partnership
Source:MSN News