Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah will depart the club at the conclusion of the current season.
However, his next destination remains a mystery.
The 33-year-old has reached a mutual agreement with the club to terminate his £400,000-per-week contract.
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This puts the two-time African Footballer of the Year in a position to dictate his own future. While Saudi clubs like Al-Nassr have been linked to the Egyptian superstar, MLS is not backing down.
MLS is determined to secure Salah
San Diego FC, owned by Egyptian-British billionaire Mohamed Mansour, is reportedly in the running, as reported by the Athletic. The league is willing to give the newly-formed club some “runway” to finalize a deal for Salah.
This means that if Salah decides to move to MLS after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he won’t be subject to “discovery” rights, allowing San Diego FC a significant advantage in signing him.
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Salah is regarded as second only to Lionel Messi by league executives in terms of international marketability, and they are eager to bring the left-footed forward to North America.
It seems unlikely that San Diego or any MLS team could match the lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, where Al-Ittihad is rumored to be making an offer of £1.67 million per week.
MLS might sweeten the deal with ownership options
Nevertheless, MLS could enhance their proposal by offering Salah an ownership stake—a strategy previously utilized in agreements with both David Beckham and Lionel Messi.
When Beckham joined LA Galaxy, he was given the option to invest in a new franchise, which eventually became Inter Miami. Messi also retains an ownership interest in the Florida club, which will kick in once he hangs up his boots.
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Thus, Salah could become a significant player in Major League Soccer if discussions regarding his future are persuasive.
With his options far from settled, it appears that MLS will be a strong contender for Salah’s signature this summer, competing against offers from Saudi Arabian teams.