MLS club opens door to Mohamed Salah move after Liverpool exit | OneFootball

Mohamed Salah Exit Sparks MLS Transfer Talk

The conversation around Mohamed Salah has shifted decisively. With confirmation that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the current campaign, attention has turned from farewell tributes to one pressing question, what comes next?

After nine glittering years on Merseyside, Salah departs as one of the club’s defining figures of the modern era. Two Premier League titles, a Champions League triumph and a catalogue of individual honours underline his legacy. Now, as a free agent at 33, the market opens in intriguing fashion, with Major League Soccer emerging as a genuine contender.

MLS Interest Builds Around Salah

Interest from MLS has not been subtle. Executives across the league are well aware of the commercial and sporting impact Salah could deliver. Among the most vocal admirers is New York City FC, whose leadership has openly acknowledged their interest.

Speaking at a recent industry event, NYCFC President Brad Sims addressed speculation directly. “I would love to have Mo Salah,” Sims said as quoted by the New York Post. “We have not had any discussions with him or his people. What is most important is does the player want to come to MLS and be in New York City. We are not going to go out and sell someone on New York, the league or our club. We want players who really want to be here.”

Photo: IMAGO

New York City FC Vision and Strategy

NYCFC’s interest in Salah is not simply about star appeal. The club is entering a transformative phase, highlighted by the development of Etihad Park, set to open in 2027. A player of Salah’s stature would align neatly with that vision, both on the pitch and commercially.

Sims expanded on this approach, reinforcing that reputation alone carries little weight in their decision making. “You need the guys who are going to be the hardest trainers, good teammates and good for the locker room and the culture. We do a lot of due diligence, and not just on star players,” he added.

This emphasis suggests that any potential move for Mohamed Salah to MLS would depend as much on his personal motivation as his footballing pedigree.

League Backing for High Profile Move

Support for a possible Salah switch to MLS extends beyond individual clubs. League commissioner Don Garber has already made the league’s stance clear.

“Obviously, if [Salah] ever decides to come to Major League Soccer, we’d welcome him with open arms,” Garber said. “I’d say he should reach out to Leo [Lionel Messi] and reach out to Thomas Müller and see how happy they’ve been and how successful they’ve been and how much they’ve really embraced being in Major League Soccer.”

It is a pointed reference to the league’s growing ability to attract elite talent, not only as a retirement destination but as a competitive and commercially vibrant environment.

Future Path After Liverpool Departure

For Liverpool, the departure of Mohamed Salah marks the end of a remarkable chapter under current manager Arne Slot, who guided the club to Premier League success in the 2024-25 season. Replacing such influence will be no small task.

For Salah, the decision carries different weight. Saudi Arabia remains a strong possibility, driven by financial power and regional appeal. Yet MLS offers something distinct, a global platform, a competitive league on the rise and the opportunity to shape football’s growth in North America.

Wherever he lands, one thing is clear, Salah’s next move will resonate far beyond Liverpool.