Mohamed Salah: Out-of-favour Liverpool star told to 'talk to Lionel Messi' amid exit links | OneFootball

Arne Slot dropped Egyptian as fallout continues after explosive interview

MLS commissioner Don Garber said Mohamed Salah should consider following Lionel Messi to the United States if he leaves Liverpool in January.

He was subsequently left out of Arne Slot’s squad to face Inter Milan midweek, and is not expected to be involved against Brighton on Saturday either.

Salah will then ‘say goodbye’ to Liverpool fans as he joins up with Egypt’s AFCON camp, after which it remains unclear whether he will return to Anfield.

Salah is heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, where clubs are reportedly willing to fund a deal, though MLS chief Garber has asked him not to be too hasty in choosing his next side.

"Obviously, if [Salah] ever decides to come to Major League Soccer, we’d welcome him with open arms.”

Messi snubbed a lucrative Saudi Pro League offer to join Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, and beat Muller’s Vancouver Whitecaps to win the MLS Cup earlier this month.

Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller met in the MLS Cup final earlier this month

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On the feasibility of a January move for Salah, Garber added: "I’ve seen some rumours about Mo Salah. We very much believe in the sanctity of a contract. That’s an American business dynamic.

“Mo’s under contract to Liverpool, people, we know. It’s a great team."

Salah has been speculatively linked with a move to San Diego FC, owned by Egyptian businessman Mohamed Mansour.

Mansour has big dreams for the club, and said in a recent interview: “We’re always looking to improve. We will do whatever it takes as owners to support the San Diego Football Club.

“He’s an extraordinary player, but we want to develop many Mo Salahs in our academy.”