Salah free agent: Saudi clubs circle as Egypt crash out of World Cup

Mohamed Salah’s free-agent status has turned the next phase of his career into one of football’s most scrutinised sagas. The Egyptian forward left Liverpool this summer after nine trophy-laden years at Anfield, and his country’s abrupt World Cup exit has only sharpened the focus on where he will land next. Saudi clubs remain the headline candidates, but fresh competition has emerged from an unexpected corner: Major League Soccer. With Salah’s future now a global talking point, the race to sign him is accelerating.

World Cup exit clears the path for a high-stakes move

Egypt’s World Cup campaign ended in dramatic fashion on Tuesday, when a 3-2 defeat to Argentina erased an early 2-0 lead. Salah played the full 90 minutes, but the loss confirmed his side’s elimination and removed the final distraction from his club future. The timing is pivotal: with international duty no longer a factor, Salah can now prioritise negotiations without the constraints of a season in progress.

Saudi Arabia has long been the presumed destination, yet talks have reportedly stalled over wage demands. Al-Hilal and Al-Qadsiah remain the most frequently cited options, but the impasse suggests a compromise may not be straightforward. The financial allure is undeniable—Salah’s agent has fielded offers from the cash-rich league for years, including a £150million bid from Al-Ittihad in 2023—but his preference appears to be Europe. That door, however, is closing fast.

MLS enters the frame as Salah weighs transatlantic options

Sporting Kansas City have emerged as a surprise contender, drawing up plans to sign Salah on a free transfer. The club’s new majority owner, Peter Mallouk—whose father is Egyptian—has framed the move as part of a broader ambition to elevate the franchise. “Promises made will be promises kept,” Mallouk posted this week, signalling intent without overpromising. The move would place Salah in elite company: Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann have already swapped European stardom for MLS this summer.

While Kansas City’s bid is framed as a “long shot” internally, it underscores the breadth of Salah’s appeal. The league’s growing profile, combined with the absence of a European lifeline, could make North America a viable alternative. Whether it tempts a player of Salah’s stature remains to be seen, but the gesture itself reshapes the transfer landscape.

Liverpool’s rebuilding hinges on Salah’s absence

Salah’s departure leaves a void at Anfield that extends beyond goals and assists. His integration into Liverpool’s system under Jürgen Klopp defined an era, and his exit coincides with a transitional phase for the club. The Reds are already reshaping their squad, with reports of interest in young forwards like Alejandro Garnacho—though his Chelsea future remains uncertain—and a pragmatic approach to recruitment under new manager Andoni Iraola.

Klopp’s own future has added another layer of intrigue. The former Liverpool boss is reportedly on the verge of becoming Germany’s national team coach, a move that would further unsettle the club’s narrative. His departure would mark the end of an epoch, leaving Iraola to navigate a rebuild without Salah’s elite production. The financial implications are stark: Salah’s wages were a significant outlay, and his exit frees up funds—but the on-field impact is harder to quantify.

For Egypt, Salah’s club future carries weight beyond trophies. His presence has elevated the national team’s profile, and his absence would force a generational shift. The World Cup exit, though painful, arrives at a moment when the Pharaohs can begin planning for life after their talisman. Whether Saudi Arabia or MLS ultimately secures his signature, the ripple effects will be felt in Cairo as much as in Jeddah or Kansas City.

One thing is certain: Salah’s free-agent status has transformed a club-level decision into a global story. The coming weeks will determine whether he opts for the financial certainty of Saudi Arabia, the novelty of MLS, or a last-minute return to Europe. What is already clear is that his next move will reverberate far beyond the pitch.