A significant chapter is closing: Mohamed Salah will depart Liverpool at the conclusion of the season, wrapping up a remarkable nine-year tenure filled with records and prestigious trophies.
His influence on Liverpool is immense. Salah joined the team in 2016, during a time when they were still longing for a league title. His tenure has seen the team triumph in the Premier League during the 2019-20 and 2024-25 seasons, along with lifting the Champions League trophy in 2018-19 — achievements that will resonate on Merseyside for years to come.
As this era comes to an end, speculation arises about Salah’s next destination. ESPN has gathered insights from correspondents worldwide to explore potential suitors.
After successfully bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Pro League has positioned itself as an appealing option for Salah.
Being among the highest earners in the Premier League, attracting him will require a substantial financial offer. The SPL is one of the few leagues capable of meeting those demands while compensating Salah for relinquishing the final year of his Liverpool contract.
ESPN’s sources in Saudi Arabia indicate that Al Ittihad is seen as the frontrunner for his signature. They previously made a failed $200 million bid for Salah in September 2023 and later lost Benzema to Al Hilal. ESPN reported Wednesday that Al Ittihad has resumed its pursuit of a deal for Salah.
Another possibility is Al Qadsiah, which is managed by Brendan Rodgers. After leaving Liverpool just over 18 months before Salah’s arrival, Rodgers has made a specific request for a right winger. Al Qadsiah is also eager to secure a marquee signing ahead of the opening of their new stadium later this year, which will host matches for the 2034 World Cup.
Additional interest could come from Al Diriyah and Al Ula, contingent on their promotion to the SPL. However, currently, Al Hilal, who signed Benzema in February, are not seen as serious contenders for the Egypt international. — Rob Dawson
Potential European Destinations
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Marcotti discusses how Klopp was persuaded to sign Salah at Liverpool.
Gab Marcotti reveals that Jurgen Klopp initially preferred another player over Mohamed Salah.
There was a time when a free transfer for Salah would have been a no-brainer for a rebuilding Barcelona. The club has recently signed high-profile players like Ilkay Gündogan and Sergio Aguero on free transfers, but club sources now indicate a strategy focused on younger talent this summer. Lamine Yamal currently occupies Salah’s preferred right wing position, and Raphinha is the starter on the opposite flank.
Barcelona is looking to bring in reinforcements on the wings to complement these two — with Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford being a possible option — but Salah is not under consideration for any of these roles due to his potential salary demands. — Sam Marsden
Real Madrid has long been mentioned as a potential destination for Salah if he ever left Anfield, but recent developments suggest they are not targeting him this summer. The club has a history of acquiring elite players on free transfers — notable examples include Kylian Mbappé, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, and David Alaba — but those players were not nearing 34 years old upon their arrival to the Bernabéu. The club typically hesitates to offer multi-year contracts to players over the age of 30, particularly those who would demand high wages, making a move for Salah unlikely. While it has been suggested that Madrid will look to acquire experienced players this summer to supplement their youthful squad, it is more likely this will focus on midfield or defense rather than front-line talent, with a transfer for Salah coming as a major surprise. — Alex Kirkland
Similar to Madrid, PSG once considered signing Salah a dream scenario. Club president Nasser Al Khelaifi made several attempts to bring him in, given his acquaintance with Salah’s agency. However, the situation has changed. PSG is no longer a viable option for Salah due to his age and salary expectations.
The club has shifted its focus away from veteran superstars towards nurturing young talents, resulting in their recent Champions League victory. For several reasons, Salah’s recruitment does not align with PSG’s current strategy. — Julien Laurens
Among the rumored destinations since Salah announced his departure is Galatasaray. However, sources have informed ESPN that there have been no discussions regarding a bid for Salah, making a transfer very unlikely, particularly after their significant investment to sign Leroy Sané from Bayern Munich last summer. — Dawson
Could Major League Soccer be an Option? If so, Where?
Currently, Inter Miami does not possess an open Designated Player slot to sign Salah, as Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and their recent signing Germán Berterame already occupy the three Designated Player spots.
While De Paul joined the club on loan mid-season without a Designated Player spot available at the time, this pathway is not currently an option for Salah. The Argentina midfielder was later made a permanent signing, effectively taking the spot previously held by former Designated Player Sergio Busquets. With Messi locked into a contract extension through 2028 and De Paul and Berterame under contracts that extend through 2028-2029, reshuffling the Designated Player slots poses challenges for Inter Miami. — Lizzy Becherano
MLS Commissioner Don Garber has expressed a keen interest in having Salah join the league. Speaking at the Sports Business Journal’s Business of Soccer event in Atlanta, Garber stated his enthusiasm: “I would love to see [Salah] in our league. I couldn’t say that until he announced he was leaving Liverpool.” He emphasized what a great player Salah would be for MLS.
However, where Salah might end up remains uncertain, as no MLS teams have yet confirmed interest in acquiring him. One source indicated that San Diego FC, co-owned by Egyptian businessman Sir Mohamed Mansour, is “not currently” pursuing a deal for Salah. The same goes for the Chicago Fire, who have been linked to players like Neymar in the past. Sources have stated there is “nothing concrete” in terms of pursuing Salah.
LAFC has refrained from commenting, yet they seem constrained by their commitment to two Designated Player slots and four under-22 initiative signings, creating complications for going after Salah. However, this may change later this summer when Salah becomes available. — Jeff Carlisle